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The Kenya captain has revealed whether former Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger replied to his come-and-get-me plea nine years ago while playing for Gor Mahia.
Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga has finally opened up about his audacious attempt to catch the eye of former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger back in 2015, during his goal-scoring spree for Gor Mahia.
In a surprising move, Olunga, then 21, took to YouTube to make a direct appeal to Wenger.
Having just netted 38 goals for both Gor Mahia and Kenya, and leading his club to their third consecutive league title, Olunga’s impressive stats were bolstered by the backing of his agent, former Kenya national team coach Jacob 'Ghost 'Mulee.
Despite this, Olunga felt compelled to take matters into his own hands with a video message.
“Hi, Arsene Wenger. I am Michael Olunga Ogada, I am a striker at Gor Mahia FC which is in Kenya. I am currently the best player in Kenya.
“I’ve scored 38 goals all season, and my dream is to play for Arsenal,” Olunga stated. “I am a young talent, 21 years of age.
“I hope you will consider my request to come there and maybe join your feeder team, if not your senior team, and in the coming years, I will be sure to repay your faith. Thanks for considering my option,” he concluded in his 37-second video, which has since garnered over 94,000 views.
This clip inadvertently introduced Olunga to a global audience long before his on-field exploits earned him recognition in Sweden, China, Spain, and Japan. Although his dream of playing in the Premier League for Arsenal never materialized, Olunga has nonetheless crafted a successful career.
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08:04 - 22.06.2024
Michael Olunga reveals one factor that has kept him going any time he gets abuse over his performances
Olunga has revealed the importance of staying mentally strong in adverse moments, revealing how he deals with abuse, including during his time playing for La Liga outfit Girona when he was subjected to racism.
In a recent tell-all interview on Hot 96, Olunga revealed his motivation behind the video and confirmed whether Wenger, known for his knack for turning raw talents into world-class players, responded to his plea.
“When I was young, I sent one video to Arsene Wenger when he was the Arsenal coach,” Olunga joked.
“If you google it or search it on YouTube, you will find it. I was leaving Kenya and telling him I wanted to play there.
“He did not reply, but imagine the number of people that sent him similar videos as well,” Olunga posed.
The Harambee Stars captain has also revealed why clubs of such stature barely sign players off such audacious requests.
“Also, these clubs have scouts and committees to study the kind of players they want because every coach has his preferred playing style, so you have to go and prove it out there for them to acknowledge you are good.”
Since joining Qatari Stars League side Al Duhail FC from Japanese outfit Kashiwa Reysol in 2020, Olunga has been in prolific form. He was brought in as a replacement for former Croatian great Mario Mandzukic.
To provide context, when Olunga was seeking Arsenal’s attention in December 2015, Mandzukic was settling at Juventus, having moved from Atletico Madrid in the summer.
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16:54 - 21.06.2024
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The Kenya U-20 star will be joining Swedish outfit AIK when he turns 18 this August.
Already a Champions League winner with Bayern Munich, Mandzukic scored 10 goals as Juventus won a domestic double that season.
That Olunga and Mandzukic could be considered on equal footing five years later speaks volumes about Olunga’s remarkable rise. From a promising teenager, Olunga has emerged as Kenya’s leading striker and a dependable force in global football.
Olunga’s journey from an ambitious young talent to a recognized name in international football is a testament to his perseverance and dedication.
While his dream of playing for Arsenal and English Premier League football remains unfulfilled, his accomplishments on the pitch have solidified his status as a top-tier striker.
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12:18 - 20.06.2024
Michael Olunga adds huge investment to his multimillion portfolio
Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga is determined to secure his life after football and has added another major investment to his multimillion empire.
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