Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga has officially bagged his first Golden Boot Award in the Qatar Stars League (QSL) after the 2021/2022 campaign came to a close on Friday evening with the Kenyan marksman topping the scoring charts with 24 goals.In his first full season in the Asian country, the resplendent forward showed exactly why his Al Duhail side broke the bank for his signature midway through last season when he joined them from Japanese side Kashiwa Reysol in January 2021.Having been acquired with the season approaching its end then, the former Gor Mahia man scored six goals in the nine matches he played in the 2020/2021 campaign.It is this season that the 27-year old proved to be unstoppable in his quest for yet another ‘Golden Boot’ as he scored a whooping 24 goals in 20 games, an average of a goal in every match he featured in.Its home💪🏾💪🏾@DuhailSC @QSL pic.twitter.com/rV85RKAw5j— MICHAEL OLUNGA (@OgadaOlunga) March 11, 2022 His almost constant presence on the scoreboard saw Olunga win the treasured award by a mile as his closest challenger, Ghanaian international Andre Ayew, who plays for rivals Al Sadd, finished nine goals behind on 15 strikes.Ayew’s team-mates Akram Afif and last season’s top scorer Baghdad Bounedjah, who came third and fourth in the Golden Boot race, netted 14 and 13 goals respectively.On top of the award, Olunga already boasts of being the only player in the history of the league to have scored five goals in one half of a match.”Team striker Michael Olunga succeeded in obtaining the title of top scorer in the QNB Stars League by scoring 24 goals in the season that ended this evening. Engineer Olunga was able to show all his scoring skills with the team, despite his absence from appearing in many matches due to injury,”المهندس @OgadaOlunga هدّافاً للدوري 🔗 https://t.co/kwn5NwxYx4#الدحيل #دوري_نجوم_QNB pic.twitter.com/IodxrBc0pV— نادي الدحيل ALDUHAIL (@DuhailSC) March 11, 2022 “Olunga had succeeded in setting a record in the league after scoring five goals against Al Sailiya in one half, after he entered as a substitute in the second half,” Al Duhail posted on their website.In winning the accolade, Olunga adds to his already well glittered personal feats.He was the 2021 Asian Champions League Top Scorer with 9 goals.Michael Olunga: The Treacherous Journey from Lucky Summer to Al DuhailHe was the 2020 Japanese J1 League Top Scorer (28 goals), J1 League Most Valuable Player and was named in the Best XI.He was also the 2015 Kenyan Premier League Player of the Year during his time with record Kenyan champions Gor Mahia.Olunga’s heroics in front of goal were however not enough to end Duhail’s wait for a title as Al Sadd successfully defended the league title.
