Football

Shining Abroad: Kenya’s top 10 football stars

Shining Abroad: Kenya’s top 10 football stars
Duhail's forward Michael Olunga (C) celebrates his goal with teammates during the AFC Champions League group C match between Saudi's Al-Ahli and Qatar's Al-Duhail on April 18, 2021, at the King Abdullah sport city stadium in the Saudi city of Jeddah. (Photo : AFP)

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These ten footballers have risen from Kenyan clubs to play on global stages. Here’s a look at their journeys and achievements

From the landscapes of our serene football theatres to shaking hands with global stadiums, meet the top ten Kenyan footballers who are holding the torch at the global arenas.

1. Joseph Okumu

Joseph Okumu is a Kenyan professional footballer who, against all odds, is flying the flag high at Stade de Reims, a club in the French Ligue 1. Okumu plays as a centre-back, boasting a FIFA rating of 74 with a potential of 77. He has a Medium Attacking Work Rate and a High Defensive Work Rate.

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At 27 years old, Okumu is ranked as the top Kenyan player and the most valuable Kenyan footballer, with a market value of Ksh809,524,858.50 and an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) ranging from Ksh610,721,926.50 to Ksh1,008,401,320.50.

Okumu’s career path has taken him from AFC Ann Arbor in the USA, where he played during the 2017/18 season, to Real Salt Lake City for the 2018/19 season. He then moved to IF Elfsborg, where his ETV began to grow, followed by a stint at KAA Gent in Belgium during the 2021/22 season. Currently, he is making his mark at Reims, with a contract running until 30th June 2028.

2. Michael Olunga

Michael Olunga, born on 26th March 1994, is a Kenyan professional footballer who plays as a striker for Qatar Stars League club Al-Duhail and captains the Kenya national team.

Olunga's football journey began while he was still in school at Upper Hill, where he joined Liberty Sports Academy in 2012 and scored 32 goals in the 2012 season. He is currently ranked as the second-best Kenyan player and the third most valuable, with a market value of Ksh127,760,503.50 and an ETV ranging from Ksh99,427,072.50 to Ksh156,242,542.50.

His career path has included playing for Tusker, where he signed a one-year loan deal from Liberty in December 2012. He later moved to Thika United and then to Gor Mahia on loan. His international career kicked off with Djurgårdens IF in 2016. Olunga then played for Guizhou Zhicheng in 2017-2018, Girona (on loan), Kashiwa Reysol from 2018-2021, and Al-Duhail, where he has been playing since 2021.

3. Erick "Marcelo" Ouma

Erick Ouma is a professional footballer who currently plays for Ekstraklasa club Raków Częstochowa. He is ranked as the third-best Kenyan player and the fourth most valuable.

Ouma’s journey to greatness began at Gor Mahia, the most storied club in Kenya, where he signed a six-month contract in 2016 before extending it until the end of the summer. In 2017, he moved to Georgian club Kolkheti Poti, then to Albanian club KS

Kastrioti, and by September 2019, he was playing for Swedish club Vasalunds.

In 2020, Ouma joined AIK, and in 2024, he signed a three-year contract with Raków Częstochowa. His market value is currently Ksh99,399,079.50, with an ETV ranging from Ksh70,988,376.50 to Ksh127,760,503.50.

4. Victor Wanyama

Victor Wanyama, born on 25th June 1991, is a Kenyan professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Major League Soccer club CF Montréal.

Wanyama made history as the first Kenyan to score in a UEFA Champions League match, doing so for Celtic in a decisive 2-1 win against Barcelona. His career has seen him play for Beerschot from 2008-2011, Celtic from 2011-2013, Southampton from 2013-2016, Tottenham Hotspur from 2016-2020, and now CF Montréal since 2020.

Wanyama’s market value is currently Ksh70,988,376.50, with an ETV ranging from Ksh56,824,242.00 to Ksh85,236,363.00.

5. Richard Odada

Richard Odada, born on 25th November 2000, is a Kenyan professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Scottish Premiership side Dundee United.

Odada began his football journey with Laiser Hill Academy before joining Kenyan Premier League club AFC Leopards in July 2018. Although he made the first team roster 11 times in the 2018–19 season, he didn’t make any appearances.

His talent, however, earned him training and trial opportunities in Serbia with Red Star Belgrade and Voždovac, as well as in Switzerland and Italy with Juventus and Inter Milan. In 2019, Odada joined Serbian SuperLiga club Red Star Belgrade and was later loaned to Grafičar Beograd for the 2019-2020 season. The 2021-2022 season saw him play for Metalac on loan, followed by a stint at Philadelphia Union II in 2022-2023.

On 15th August 2023, Odada joined newly relegated Danish 1st Division club AaB on a one-year loan deal with a purchase option. His market value is Ksh28,404,639.00, with an ETV ranging from Ksh14,202,319.50 to Ksh28,404,639.00.

6. Eric Johana Omondi

Erick Omondi, born on 18th August 1994, is a Kenyan professional footballer who plays as a winger or forward for Romanian Liga 1 club UTA Arad.

Omondi’s career has seen him play for several teams, beginning with Mathare United from 2014-2016, followed by Vasalunds in 2017, Brommapojkarna in 2018-2019, Jonkopings Sodra in 2020-2021, Waasland-Beveren in 2022, Muangthong United in 2022-2023, and currently UTA Arad since 2023.

Omondi's market value is Ksh28,404,639.00, with an ETV ranging from Ksh14,202,319.50 to Ksh28,404,639.00.

7. Timothy Noor Babu Ouma

Timothy Noor Babu Ouma, born on 10th June 2004, is a talented Kenyan footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Swedish Allsvenskan club IF Elfsborg.

Babu joined Nairobi City Stars in July 2020 right after completing his studies at Laiser Hill Academy on an initial three-year deal. He extended his stay in September 2021 with an additional two years, running until June 2025, following a standout debut season in which he featured in 24 of the 34 games in the 2020-21 Kenyan Premier League.

Babu made his debut as a KPL player for Nairobi City Stars during the 2020-2022 seasons. In mid-July 2022, he was signed by Swedish top-tier side IF Elfsborg, joining the club a month later after his official transfer from Nairobi City Stars.

His market value stands at Ksh28,404,639.00, with an ETV ranging from Ksh14,202,319.50 to Ksh28,404,639.00.

8. Brian Onyango

Brian Onyango, born on 24th July 1994, is a professional footballer who until recently played as a centre-back for South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns, a club he joined in 2020.

Onyango's career journey includes playing for Poster Rangers in 2010, Tusker FC from 2011-2012, Santos from 2012-2015, and Maritzburg United from 2015-2019. He has become a key figure in Mamelodi Sundowns' defence since his arrival.

Onyango's market value is Ksh28,404,639.00, with an ETV ranging from Ksh28,404,639.00 to Ksh42,618,181.50.

9. Collins Lusaka Sichenje

Collins Lusaka Sichenje, born on 19th September 2003, is a Kenyan professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Serbian SuperLiga club Vojvodina, on loan from Swedish side AIK.

Sichenje began his career with Green Commandos before signing for Kenyan Premier League side AFC Leopards in September 2019. In July 2021, he joined the B side of Greek team PAOK but returned to AFC Leopards without making an appearance. Two months later, he signed a four-year deal with Allsvenskan side AIK.

On 31st March 2023, Sichenje joined Veikkausliiga side KuPS on loan for the season, where he made 23 appearances in total. He returned to AIK after the season as the purchase option was not exercised. On 11th July 2024, Sichenje joined Serbian SuperLiga club Vojvodina on a six-month loan deal, with an option to make the transfer permanent.

His market value is Ksh28,404,639.00

10. Masoud Juma Choka

Masoud Juma Choka, born on 3rd February 1996 and raised in Isiolo, is a Kenyan forward known for his sharp instincts in front of goal. His talent was first noticed by Shabana in 2014, leading to a series of signings with several prominent clubs.

He signed a two-year deal with Bandari FC, followed by stints at Sony Sugar in 2016-2017, and Kariobangi Sharks in 2017-2018, where he made a significant impact. His success at the Sharks earned him a move to Cape Town City in 2018. On 22nd September 2018, he joined Dibba Al-Fujairah, followed by a transfer to Al Nasr Benghazi on 26th February 2019.

Masoud continued his journey across various leagues, playing for JS Kabylie in 2019-2020, then Difaa Hassani El Jadidi from 2020 to 2023. On 29th January 2023, he was loaned to Al Faisaly, and by 8th July 2023, he had moved to Al Jabalain, where he currently plays.

Masoud's market value stands at Ksh28,404,639.00, with an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) ranging from Ksh28,404,639.00 to Ksh42,618,181.50.

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