Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga is still over the moon after marking his 30th birthday in style with three goals and silverware at the Four Nations tournament.
Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga has expressed his surprise at marking his 30th birthday with a hat-trick and a trophy.
Olunga drew Kenya level just before halftime after Joseph Okumu had scored in his own net in the third minute before turning the game around with two second half goals to complete his hat-trick.
The three goals saw Olunga etch himself in history as he became the fourth highest scorer for Kenya, now on 29 goals, and six shy of equaling Gor Mahia legend William Ouma as the country’s most prolific striker.
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Michael Olunga’s hat-trick against Zimbabwe has seen him get on the shoulders of Kenya’s goalscoring legends with Dennis Oliech’s record among those in danger.
Victory saw Kenya claim the Four Nations trophy, having also beaten Malawin 4-0 on Saturday, and Olunga could not hide his joy.
“Words cannot express. Hat-trick, champions, birthday,” Olunga posted on X. “Thank you Almighty Lord. Without you am nothing. Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes.”
“Proud of this team. Great mentality and character from the boys,” he added.
Victory gives Kenya confidence ahead of tough assignments in June when they will face Burundi and African champions Ivory Coast in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Engin Firat’s men will hope to continue their good run after winning three straight matches for the first time since December 2019 when they beat Tanzania (1-0), Sudan (2-1) and Zanzibar (1-0) in the CECAFA Senior Challenger Cup.
Most importantly, they have scored 12 goals in that period after a 5-0 thrashing of Seychelles in the 2026 World Cup qualifier last November, before silencing Malawi and Zimbabwe this month with Olunga scoring seven of them.
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Firat will therefore be counting on Olunga to deliver success for his team when it matters most in two months’ time.
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