Lawrence Okoth Shows Respect to Michael Olunga as He Awaits His Harambee Stars Debut

Youngster Lawrence Okoth has opened up about the influence Michael Olunga has had in his life as he looks to play alongside the Harambee Stars captain for the first time in the World Cup qualifier matches against Burundi and the Ivory Coast.

Lawrence Okoth received his first call-up to the senior team following his impressive display for the Rising Stars in the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations.

Lawrence Okoth found the back of the net in a 4–0 win over Burundi during the under-20 AFCON qualifiers and carried his impressive form into the finals in Cairo, where he scored twice more, including Kenya’s first-ever goal at the tournament, to finish as the team’s top scorer.

He has also been a beneficiary of the Michael Olunga Football Academy (MOFA) and recently signed a two-year professional contract with Finnish top-tier club SJK Seinäjoki.

Now, Lawrence Okoth is gearing up for his debut, and he hopes it will either come in the Harambee Stars match against Burundi on Thursday, October 9 or against the Ivory Coast on Tuesday, October 14.

Lawrence Okoth looks to share the same stage with Michael Olunga, the man he has highly spoken about. He always dons Michael Olunga’s jersey number, 14, and he joked about the Al Arabi SC striker being around.

“At the moment, the owner of the jersey is around. He has greatly inspired me…he is a great guy. I’m from his academy, and he is a guy that I’m looking up to, and I would like to follow in his footsteps so I can get to his level,” Lawrence Okoth told reporters on Monday.

Meanwhile, Michael Olunga has also heaped praise on the youngster, noting that his hard work is what made Benni McCarthy hand him his first Harambee Stars call-up.

“Well, he's been working hard, and he deserves the opportunity just like any other player playing in Kenya and all the players who played in the under-20 AFCON,” Michael Olunga said.

As Lawrence Okoth prepares for what could be his first senior appearance for Kenya, his journey stands as a testament to talent, perseverance, and mentorship.

With Michael Olunga’s guidance and Benni McCarthy’s belief in his potential, the youngster now has the chance to turn inspiration into legacy, stepping onto the pitch not just as a rising star but as the future of the Harambee Stars.