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Michael Olunga leaves Al Duhail after four iconic years

Michael Olunga

Al Duhail 's Michael Olunga (left) vies for the ball with an Al Shamal player during their  Qatar Stars League match on February 9, 2022 at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium.

Photo credit: Pool
Geofrey Anene

By  Geoffrey Anene

Contributor

NMG Sport

What you need to know:

  • Olunga's future club remains unconfirmed, but he has been linked with moves to South Africa and the English Premier League.
  • His departure comes just a day after French coach Christophe Galtier stepped down as head coach of Al Duhail, signaling a transitional phase at the club.

Kenyan international striker Michael Olunga has officially parted ways with Al Duhail Sports Club, bringing an end to a historic and highly successful four-year spell at the Qatari outfit.

In a statement released on Thursday, Al Duhail paid tribute to their all-time top scorer.

“The management of Al Duhail Sports Club extends its heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the Kenyan striker Michael Olunga, the club’s historic top scorer, for his distinguished contributions and exceptional performance during his tenure with the first team,” the club said.

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The statement described Olunga as a model of professionalism and discipline both on and off the pitch, lauding his pivotal role in delivering numerous championships and memorable moments.

“The Al Duhail family wishes Michael Olunga all the success in his next chapter and affirms that the club’s doors will always remain open to the historic top scorer of the Red Knights. Thank you, Olunga. You will always remain an inseparable part of the Al Duhail family.”

Michael Olunga

Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga during a training session at Police Sacco Stadium on May 31, 2024 in preparations for the Fifa World Cup qualifier against Burundi and Ivory Coast.

Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group

Olunga joined Al Duhail on January 12, 2021, from Japanese side Kashiwa Reysol on a two-and-a-half-year deal, which was later extended in July 2023.

He previously played for Djurgårdens IF (Sweden), Zhicheng (China), Girona (Spain), and Kashiwa Reysol (Japan).

In the just-concluded 2024–2025 season, the 31-year-old striker made 19 appearances in the Qatar Stars League, scoring 12 goals and providing two assists, helping Al Duhail to a second-place finish behind rivals Al Sadd.

Olunga leaves with an impressive trophy haul, including: Qatar Stars League (2022–2023), Qatar Cup (2021–2022), Qatar League Cup (2023) and Qatar Stars Cup (Ooredoo Cup) (2022–2023, 2024–2025)

He was top scorer in the Qatar Stars League in 2021–2022 (22 goals) and 2022–2023, and also topped the scoring charts in the 2022–2023 Qatar Stars Cup with 10 goals.

Across all competitions, Olunga scored 135 goals, including nine in the 2020–2021 AFC Champions League, where he finished as top scorer. He also represented the club in the 2021 FIFA Club World Cup, and the 2021–2022 and 2023–2024 AFC Champions League editions.

In a farewell message on social media, Olunga wrote:

“VENI VIDI VICI. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING @DuhailSC. LEAVING AS ALL-TIME GOAL SCORER 130 GOALS AND MEMORIES. THANK YOU FOR THE TRUST.”

Olunga's future club remains unconfirmed, but he has been linked with moves to South Africa and the English Premier League.

His departure comes just a day after French coach Christophe Galtier stepped down as head coach of Al Duhail, signaling a transitional phase at the club.