The 2022 FIFA World Cup finally kicked off on 20th November with the hosts Qatar taking on Ecuador. The hosts had a dismal performance with the team easily going down to Ecuador by two goals. With the slumpy display, a number of Kenyans have taken to social media to raise questions regarding the quality of football in Qatar where striker Michael Olunga plies his trade for Al Duhail.
Olunga’s Stats and Salary in Qatar
The lethal striker has had a fair share of challenges in Qatar with the sweltering heat being one of them. This calls for adequate hydration as the Kenyan player reveals he ends up losing as much as 3 litres of fluids in a game.
Despite this, Olunga has had an impressive performance with Al Duhail and has scored 35 goals in 36 matches. According to reliable sources, Olunga takes home a cool salary of ksh 6 million monthly alongside other bonuses and allowances.
In 2021, the towering striker was named the top scorer in the AFC Champions League after he scored nine goals. He became the first Kenyan and Al Duhail player to ever achieve this. The prolific striker was also the top scorer of the Qatar Stars League in the 2021/22 season with 24 goals from 20 matches.
Two Things Olunga Considers Before Joining a Club
According to the Harambee Stars forward, he majorly considers two things before joining any football side. These are the opportunity to propel his career and the financial benefits offered.
“Each and every time you make a stellar performance in a season, many clubs want you to sign for them. You have to evaluate which is the best option for you career-wise and financial-wise. A combination of both decisions have played a huge part in my movements,” he said in a past interview.
Why Olunga failed to sign for Monaco Academy
Olunga cut his teeth in the dusty Baba Dogo grounds and played for Upper Hill and Liberty Academy in his teen years. Among renowned coaches who laid Olunga’s ladder are Mwalimu Peter Orero, Robert Matano and Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee.
During his sunset days at Upper Hill, Olunga received an offer to join AS Monaco’s football academy but turned down the deal due to academic commitment besides discouragement from the mother.
“When I was in high school, just two weeks to KCSE, I had to go to Monaco U18 and everything was ready. So I had to choose between KCSE and going to Monaco but of course I couldn’t let 4 years of education just go like that. I knew I was going to do well in the examinations,” he told Sport On.
Olunga also talked about his mother’s opposition against the move. He told Nation: “I was offered an opportunity to move to France and join Monaco’s academy. I was still a teenager and had this dream of becoming a pilot. My mother did not entertain the idea.”
