In the space of two matches, Ryan Ogam has written his name into Kenyan
football history.
The Harambee Stars striker, who plies his trade at Tusker FC, has been the
difference-maker in Kenya’s march to the quarterfinals of the African Nations
Championship (CHAN) 2024, co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
Ogam’s back-to-back goals against Morocco and
Zambia not only secured Kenya two crucial wins but also lifted the Stars to the
top of Group A, ensuring that the team would play their quarterfinal match on
home soil at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
For a country where football has
often carried the weight of unfulfilled potential, his timely brilliance has
been nothing short of a breath of fresh air.
Kenya’s clash with Morocco was billed as one of the toughest tests in the
group stage. Morocco, a seasoned force in African football, had been tipped as
favourites.
But Ogam had other ideas. In a tightly contested match, his goal handed
Kenya a 1-0 victory that sent the stands at Kasarani into jubilation.
For many fans, it was a defining moment, proof that Harambee Stars could compete with, and beat, the very best on the continent.
If his strike against Morocco was decisive,
what followed against Zambia was nothing short of career-defining.
Facing a resilient Zambian side in
the final preliminary clash, Ogam once again rose to the occasion.
His lone goal gave Kenya a 1-0 victory, a result that sealed top spot in the
group with 10 points, one ahead of Morocco.
That goal not only cemented Kenya’s place at
the summit of Group A but also guaranteed that the Stars would play their
quarterfinal in front of their home crowd.
For his heroics, Ogam was deservedly
named Man of the Match.
Football thrives on moments that unite fans in joy, and Ryan Ogam has
delivered exactly that. In a tournament of fine margins, his goals have given
Kenyan supporters something they have long yearned for; belief.
The celebrations that followed both victories
reflected more than just the three points; they reflected pride.
Fans danced, sang, and waved flags, celebrating not just a win but the hope
that Harambee Stars could finally break barriers on the continental stage.
For many, Ogam symbolises resilience and determination. His sharp eye for goal and ability to deliver under pressure have given Kenyans something tangible to rally behind. He has shown that heroes can emerge when the team needs them most.
For his decisive contributions, Ryan Ogam is rightly honoured as our Hotshot of the Week.
His performances stand as a reminder that football is not just about talent
but about stepping up at the crucial hour. Ogam has embodied that spirit.
His two goals have transformed Kenya’s CHAN
journey into a story of possibility.
Kenya’s football journey has often been characterized by near misses and
heartbreaks.
But Ogam’s contribution has brought new energy to the national team. His
goals have rekindled belief not just in the players but also among fans across
the country.
As Kenya prepares to face Madagascar in the
quarterfinals on Friday, August 22, 2025, all eyes will again be on Ogam.
Fans know that his sharpness in front of goal could be the difference
between progressing further or bowing out.
Yet regardless of what happens, his impact on CHAN 2024 is already secured.
He has given Kenyans the joy of seeing their
team top a group that included giants like Morocco, Angola, DR Congo and
Zambia. He has carried the team’s attacking hopes with composure and precision,
and in doing so, etched himself into the hearts of supporters.
