Michael Olunga: Why Harambee Stars Captain’s Recent Goal Drought Could Cost Al Duhail League Title

Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga heads into his club’s final match of the season perhaps with some regrets as they face the prospect of missing out on the title on goal difference.

The Qatar Stars League will come to the conclusion on Friday evening and the title race is down to two teams, leaders Al Sadd and Olunga’s Al Duhail.

However, reigning champions Al Sadd hold a two-point advantage over Al Duhail, with their tally of 49 points to the latter’s 47.

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Al Sadd therefore need to win their final match of the season to retain their title while Al Duhail are hoping that the champions lose and they win to reclaim the crown that they last won in 2023.

That is very much possible given Al Sadd have the toughest match between the two title contenders, as they host fourth-placed Al Ahly, while Al Duhail are away to bottom side Al Khor, who are already relegated.

It means Al Sadd have to find a way past a tricky Al Ahli team while Olunga and Co will be hoping for some favours.

There is also the possibility of both teams finishing the season level on points and this can happen if Al Ahly hold Al Sadd to a draw while Olunga’s Al Duhail win at Al Khor.

In case of such a scenario, goal difference will decide the champions and heading into the season finale, Al Sadd already enjoy a four-goal advantage over their title rivals.

It is here where Olunga will feel some regrets given his reduced tally in recent months has not helped Al Duhail boost their goal difference.

Olunga started the season like a house on fire, netting eight goals in the first seven league games that he played, but since then, he has managed just three in 11 games, a rare occurrence from him during his over four years in Qatar.

The Kenyan international went through a four-game drought between November and the start of January, before scoring three goals in his next four, but has not been on target in Al Duhail’s last three games.

His reduced tally now means he could watch on as Al Sadd win the league with the tiniest of margins, either on points, or goal difference.

Olunga’s reduced goal tally will also see him miss out on the Golden Boot Award for a second season on the bounce, having claimed it back-to-back in 2021-22 and 2022-23, as his 11 league goals are seven short of the league’s leading scorer, who is Algerian striker Baghdad Bounedjah, who plays for Al Shamal.