Michael Olunga Football Academy (MOFA) forward Lawrence Ouma has been one of the outstanding players in Kenya’s U20 team that is currently flying the country’s flag high at the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt. Although central defensive midfielder Kevin Wangaya has been stealing the show with his impressive performances, particularly in beating the press, it is hard to ignore what Ouma has been doing in front of the goal. Arguably the tallest player in the team, Ouma has found the back of the net in the two Group B matches played so far, making him the best goal scorer for the team in the tournament. ##NAJAVA_MECA_8900966##Winger Hassan Beja has two goal contributions, having scored once, in the 3-2 defeat to Morocco, and teed up Ouma in the 3-1 loss to Tunisia. Behind Ouma’s goal returns is the inspiration and lessons he has tapped from his mentor and the player he has been nicknamed after: Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga. Ouma features for National Super League (NSL) side Michael Olunga Football Academy (MOFA), which is owned by the Qatar-based Olunga. Despite being a man of few words, who prefers to do the talking on the pitch, Ouma revealed that his goal-scoring form in Egypt is not by luck or chance. U20 AFCON Diary: Cheap fuel in plenty as sanity reigns in Egyptian roadsBesides the knowledge he has been getting from the U20 technical bench and his coaches at MOFA, the youngster revealed that Olunga has been kind enough to share tips on becoming a refined goal poacher. “He offers a lot of motivation to me. He has helped me polish my goal-scoring instincts by showing me how to make good runs and positioning,” revealed the forward, who is a younger brother to Shabana striker Dennis Okoth.Interestingly, the last time Olunga played an AFCON tournament on Egyptian soil, he scored twice during the 2019 edition, which Kenya managed to secure a win after two losses at the group stage hurdle. Egyptian-based Kenyans express disappointment with Rising Stars’ loss to TunisiaThe former Gor Mahia and Kashiwa Reysol striker, through his social media handles, has been waxing lyrical about Ouma’s abilities and hailing the U20 team regardless of the poor results in Egypt. Olunga has been consistently sharing videos of Ouma kissing the back of the net, an indication that he rates the young forward highly.
