#VerifyOlunga bears fruit: Harambee Stars striker Michael Olunga’s Twitter finally verified

Kashiwa Reysol and Harambee Stars striker Michael Olunga celebrates scoring in the J-League [Photo: Olunga Twitter]

It has happened. Michael Olunga is finally verified on Twitter.

The Harambee Stars and Kashiwa Reysol striker has been in red-hot form in the J-League this season, scoring an impressive 21 goals.

Olunga had previously pleaded with Twitter to verify him, an issue which, to fans, seemed to take too long.

For the past week, the #VerifyOlunga hashtag has been trending on Twitter, with the ex-Gor Mahia man’s fans piling pressure on the company to add a blue badge alongside Olunga’s name.

Olunga is among the most-followed Kenyan sportsmen on social media, averaging over 540,000 followers on Facebook and over 61,000 on Twitter.

Olunga's Twitter handle now has the blue-badge [COURTESY]

He thanked ‘Kenyans on Twitter’ (KOT) for initiating the #VerifyOlunga campaign.

Wadau wa #KOT asantenti sana kwa #VerifyOlunga. Naona twitter wamecheza kama hao wakanijenga hio blue badge.@REYSOL_Official shukran kwa kuskuma pande yenyu pia. ????????#KOT#VerifyOlunga pic.twitter.com/I9MLlBGoQN — MICHAEL OLUNGA (@OgadaOlunga) October 15, 2020

The 26-year-old currently tops the J-League scoring chart, having scored braces in Kashiwa Reysol’s 3-0 and 4-3 demolitions of Yokohama FC and Andres Iniesta’s Vissel Kobe respectively.

He was named the Meiji Yasuda Konami August 2020 Most-Valuable-Player after his goals helped propel Kashiwa Reysol to fifth on the J-League log. In the month of August alone, he scored six goals in six appearances.

“It’s humbling to be named the Meiji Yasuda Konami August 2020 MVP. Firstly to thank God for His unending grace. Secondly, My teammates, coaching staff, subordinate staff, and fans for their support. Thanks, and to many more Folded hands. Inshallah. GOD ABOVE ALL.”

Olunga was named the Meiji Yasuda Konami August 2020 Most-Valuable-Player [Olunga Twitter]

Reysol drew 1-1 with Urawa Reds in their most previous fixture and will take on bottom side Shonan Bellmare in the weekend (October 18) at the Hiratsuka Kyujo Stadium at 9:00 pm.

Reysol are 8^th with 37 points after 22 matches played.

Olunga in action for Kashiwa Reysol in a past J-League match [Photo: Twitter Olunga]