Michael Olunga nominated for AFC Champions League team of the season

© Michael Olunga

STARS ABROAD Michael Olunga nominated for AFC Champions League team of the season

Kiplagat Sang • 14:52 - 29.05.2023

The Qatar Stars League's top scorer was also nominated last season but eventually failed to get a slot.

Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga is on the verge of making it into the 2022 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League best XI after another nomination.

The towering striker was phenomenal for Al Duhail SC, scoring six goals in the Asian elite club competition. With a total of 27 shots, the most by a forward in the competition - the striker had two assists and 15 shots on target.

The 2021 season’s top scorer found the back of the net four times in the group stage before headlining the semi-final against Al Shabab SC with a brace.

Fans can cast their vote for Michael Olunga by clicking here.

Olunga will face competition from his teammate, Edmilson Junior, who finished as the top scorer of the competition, finding the back of the net eight times and having four assists.

Junior was not available for the semi-final due to a late injury, but had already played a phenomenal role for Al Duhail, who exited at the penultimate stage.

His high-level performance came when he scored a hattrick against Pakhtakor and coupled that with a spectacular strike against Sepahan.

Kasper Junker of Urawa Red Diamonds will also be vying for a spot in the dream team that will be voted on by the fans. Junker had four goals with a 58% shooting accuracy and a 33% conversion rate.

He missed half of the group stage games through injury, but scored twice in the Reds' 5-0 win over Johor Darul Ta’zim in the Round of 16 before netting a dramatic 120th-minute equalizer to take the semi-final against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors to penalties.

A loan move to Nagoya Grampus, however, denied him a participation in the final.

Nigeria's Odion Ighalo, who is playing for Al Hilal SFC, will give Olunga competition as he is also nominated.

The former Manchester United forward scored seven goals and registered an assist as he mastered 70% shooting accuracy.

The Super Eagle scored four goals in Al Hilal's 7-0 defeat of Al Duhail in the semi-final, which took the Saudi Pro League club to their third final in four seasons.

Bergson of Johor Darul Ta'zim FC, who scored six goals, had 20 total shots, and won 34 duels, will also be seeking a spot in the dream team.

Other competitors are Yacine Brahimi of Al Rayyan SC, who scored two goals and three assists, and Zeca of Daegu FC, who scored seven goals.