Harambee Stars forwards Michael Olunga (left) and Dennis Oliech chat after a training session at Nyayo stadium on September 4, 2015 in preparation for their 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Zambia.
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Oliech to Olunga: Take the Qatar money now
What you need to know:
- Olunga is currently attached to Japan's top-flight club Kashiwa Reysol but was last week linked with a move to Qatari champions Al Duhail SC
- Media reports in Qatar indicated Reysol had accepted an offer worth Sh806 million from Al Duhail in exchange for the former Gor Mahia and Tusker striker
- Oliech, 35, enjoyed a successful stint in that country, with top tier side Al Arabi, between 2003 and 2005 before moving to France
Former Harambee Stars striker Dennis Oliech argues it's time Michael Olunga made some good money from football and should wholeheartedly embrace the move to Qatar if a deal materialises.
Olunga is currently attached to Japan's top-flight club Kashiwa Reysol but was last week linked with a move to Qatari champions Al Duhail SC.
Media reports in Qatar indicated Reysol had accepted an offer worth Sh806 million from Al Duhail in exchange for the former Gor Mahia and Tusker striker.
All that now remains is for the Upper Hill High School old boy to negotiate personal terms.
He is said to have asked for a 100 per cent increase to his Sh85 million annual salary at Reysol.
Kashiwa Reysol forward Michael Olunga jumps as he scores a goal during their J-League match against Kawasaki Frontale at Sankyo Frontier stadium in Kashiwa on December 19, 2020.
“I haven’t talked to him (Olunga) but heard he has another good offer from Qatar. I encourage him to pick up these offers because he is (almost) 27 and not 22. He has about four or five years remaining at the top level. It is time for him to make good money,” said Oliech, in an exclusive interview.
Oliech however warns Olunga that it is not all rosy in the Gulf.
“He will have to get a strong agent and negotiate a good contract. When I was there, most club owners would delay the salary of a player when his performance dipped. There wasn’t much of world class management.
“It is also very hot over there and he will have to adapt fast.”
Oliech would know a lot about conditions in Qatar.
Considered one of the greatest Kenyan strikers to put on a Harambee Stars jersey, Oliech, 35, enjoyed a successful stint in that country, with top tier side Al Arabi, between 2003 and 2005 before moving to France.
At Arabi, he played alongside Argentinian great Gabriel Batistuta and Nigerian defender Taribo West.
So impressive was Oliech’s at the time that he was offered Qatari citizenship with a Sh200 million inducement that he famously declined.
Al Duhail’s interest in Olunga comes at a time the Kenyan striker is in top form.
He scored 55 times in two seasons at Reysol and was named both top scorer and Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the just concluded J1 League.
Michael Olunga's statistics for the 2020 J-League season. SofaScore.com |
By the weekend Reysol had not given any word on the status of the Kenyan hitman.
The Japanese club has however announced a flurry of departures and arrivals.
They include that of Kenta Matsumuto who's returned to the club following a spell at Omiya Ardija while goalkeeper Kazushige Kirihata has extended his stay at the club for another year.
Olunga moved to Reysol in August 2018 from Chinese side GZ Hengfeng. He also had a half season loan spell at La Liga side then Girona in 2018
Al Duhail are said to be eyeing Olunga as a replacement to former Bayern Munich striker Mario Mandzukic who has failed to sparkle in the Middle East.
