Olunga in fierce fight to retain Qatar Stars League Golden Boot with one game to go

© Michael Olunga (Twitter)

STARS ABROAD Olunga in fierce fight to retain Qatar Stars League Golden Boot with one game to go

Joel Omotto • 10:00 - 07.05.2023

The Harambee Stars skipper is level on goals with Al Arabi’s Omar Al Somah heading into the final game of the season on Monday.

Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga is locked in a fierce fight to retain his Qatar Stars League (QSL) Golden Boot award as he is tied on 18 goals with Al Arabi’s Omar Al Somah with one game to go.

Olunga was on target as his side Al-Duhail lost their penultimate league match of the season 3-1 to outgoing champions Al Sadd on Thursday, equaling Al Somah’s tally to take the battle for the top scorer’s gong into the final match.

Olunga’s Al-Duhail are locked in a tight title race with Al Arabi, leading the 12-team log on 48 points, just two ahead of their rivals, heading to the last game of the season on Monday which will decide the winner.

It, therefore, promises to be a cracking final day with both teams not just angling for the title but with their leading marksmen also fighting to win the Golden Boot award.

Olunga bagged the award last season after scoring 24 goals in 20 games and while his league tally has reduced this term, he is on course to beat his 2021-2021 haul, having netted 36 goals in 37 outings, compared to 30 in all competitions the previous year.

The Kenyan international has already won two trophies this season when he led Al-Duhail to the Qatar Cup following a victory against Al Sadd in the final in March, the win coming just days after lifting the Ooredoo Cup, in which he emerged top scorer with 10 goals.

Olunga is now looking to seal a hat-trick of titles this campaign, and his first league crown since moving to Qatar in 2021. Al-Duhail must now beat ninth-placed Al-Shamal on Monday to secure the trophy.

A draw could still be enough for Hernan Crespo's men as long as second-placed Al Arabi do not win by more than two goals away to Al Sadd in what appears to be a tough match for them on paper.