Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy believes Tusker FC’s rising star Ryan Ogam could be the man to step into Michael Olunga’s formidable boots as Kenya’s main striker.
McCarthy, a legendary frontman himself, revealed he is personally mentoring the 20-year-old hitman, hoping to mould him into a ruthless goal-getter for the national team.
"He is now being converted into a striker, which is right up my street. That is the position I used to play, so I have been having chats with him and telling him we will work a little bit more on the basics," McCarthy said. "He is a player you have to mould and give the right guidance to turn him into a super player."
In his international career, playing for Bafana Bafana, McCarthy made 79 appearances, scoring 31 goals, and is the all-time top scorer for South Africa. He reckons Ogam, blessed with raw power and blistering pace, could soon emerge as Kenya’s next striking sensation.
"I will have a lot of time for the strikers and Ryan in particular because he can be the next Michael Olunga replacement one day," he added. McCarthy wants Ogam to become a complete forward, unpredictable, two-footed and deadly in the box.
"He is very explosive but also very left-footed, so I am just working with him to also make use of his right foot to make him more unpredictable."
Ogam made a roaring start to life with Tusker at the beginning of the 2024/25 FKF Premier League season, bagging 15 goals in just 13 matches before injury sidelined him for a large part of the campaign. McCarthy had already marked him out as one to watch from his very first training camp with the Stars.
"Ogam was unfortunate with the injury he picked up. I remember when I took up the role as coach, I had my first training camp, and he was there, and I thought he was a very talented player. He is quick, very sharp and intelligent."
He added: "Even though he had difficulties with the injuries, he still tried to train and that for me goes a long way."
The former Manchester United assistant coach confirmed Ogam is set to lead the line for Stars at the upcoming African Nations Championship (Chan), where McCarthy expects the youngster to shine.
"Ryan is important to the team because he will probably be leading the lines for us when the Chan starts, so we want to have him ready and scoring a lot of goals for us," McCarthy said.
McCarthy believes that European clubs could soon come knocking for the talented forward. "He is very talented and, given the chance, he can even play in Europe."
Ogam, on his part, has set himself an audacious target at the Chan tournament, eyeing five goals in the group stage alone.
"The Kenyan league was a good platform, and if I was able to achieve what I achieved, I think I can as well do it in Chan. I don't think it's hard, but I will have to give my best."
"My target is to score at least one or two goals in each game. In the group stages, I am targeting five goals, and from there, I can set another target for myself," Ogam said.
The 20-year-old noted that the mood around the camp was lively as the Stars ready themselves for the Chan.
"The mood in the camp is high; we are just giving ourselves morale as the tournament approaches to be in top form," he added.
With the Cecafa Four Nations tournament in Arusha, Tanzania kicking off Thursday, Ogam believes Stars will use the regional showpiece as a serious dress rehearsal for Chan.
"The four nations tournament is important because it will show us where we are. We will take it with the seriousness we are taking the Chan tournament."
