When Harambee Stars captain, Michael Olunga, started playing football, little did he know that his passion for the game would take him on an incredible journey from chapati madondo to becoming a millionaire.
Born and raised in Lucky Summer, a humble neighborhood in Nairobi, Kenya, Olunga faced financial constraints from a young age. He often had to walk long distances to training and matches as he couldn’t afford the bus fare.
Despite these hardships, Olunga’s love for football burned bright, and he was determined to make a name for himself in the sport industry.
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Olunga’s talent was evident from an early age, and he quickly gained recognition as a skilled striker.
He joined various local clubs, including Baba Dogo FC, where he formed a striking partnership with Christopher Ochieng.
However, meals were often a luxury for Olunga and his teammates, and they survived on simple fare like chapati madondo, a meal of flatbread and lentils that cost just 30 Kenyan shillings.
Joseph Odhiambo, who coached Olunga at various clubs during his formative years, attests to his hard work and discipline.
Known as Coach Kanga, Odhiambo described Olunga as a humble player who stood out for his exceptional qualities even at a young age.
Odhiambo recalls the days when Olunga would occasionally walk from Baba Dogo to City Stadium, a distance of several kilometers, on an empty stomach.
”Olunga came from a very humble background. At some point, he couldn’t afford a simple belt. Sometimes, we would walk on foot, from the stadium to Baba Dogo. We used to train at City stadium those days,” Odhiambo said in a past interview.
Christopher Ochieng, Olunga’s striking partner at Baba Dogo FC, also remembered their struggles with meals.
“Eating Ugali matumbo was a luxury. The main meal was ether Chapati ndengu or mandazi madondo from vibanda,” Said Ocheing.
Currently Olunga earns around Sh60 million a month following his move to Qatari club Al-Duhail star.
Olunga joined Swedish side Djugarden from Gor Mahia in January 2016.
In his debut season, he proved his talent by netting 12 goals in the Allsvenskan, finishing as the club’s top scorer.
In January 2018, while playing for Spanish side Girona, Olunga made history by becoming the first Kenyan to score a hat-trick in his team’s 6-0 victory over Las Palmas. His performance further solidified his reputation as a prolific striker.
Olunga’s achievements didn’t stop there. He also holds the distinction of being the only Kenyan player to score a brace at the Africa Cup of Nations.
In their 3-2 win against Tanzania at AFCON 2019 in Egypt, Olunga scored two crucial goals, showcasing his skill and determination on the international stage.
In the 2019/2020 season, Olunga once again made history by becoming the first African to win the J1 League Most Valuable Player (MVP) award and the Golden Boot in Japan.
He scored an impressive 28 goals, cementing his status as one of the best strikers in the league and earning recognition for his outstanding performances.
