Harambee Stars skipper Michael Olunga produced a man-of-the-match performance as he inspired his side Al Duhail to a 3-1 victory over Qatar Super League leaders AL Saad in a league match staged on Friday.Olunga, fresh from leading Kenya to a four-nation invitational tournament triumph in Malawi, announced his return to club football with a goal and an assist to end Saad’s seven-match unbeaten run.##NAJAVA_MECA_8014165##Christopher Galtier coached Al Duhail were the first to break the deadlock in the 40th minute after a swift counterattack set Almoez Ali through before unleashing a powerful shot past Meshaal Aissa Barsham amending his early spot-kick miss.However, the lead lasted five minutes as Akram Afif leveled matters for the visitors at the stroke of halftime.Al Duhail was unlucky to lose Moon-hawn Kim to an injury immediately after the restart but it did not dent the side’s determination to clinch a win and inflict a second defeat of the season to the title favorites.Another quick play from the middle of the pack to the right wing saw Ali cut his markers at the edge of the box before setting up Olunga who made no mistake from close range converting calmly to restore their lead in the 57th minute.📽️ شاهد | هدف الدحيل الثاني عن طريق مايكل اولونغا#الدحيل_السد | #دوري_نجوم_إكسبو pic.twitter.com/vcnD7mA866— مؤسسة دوري نجوم قطر 🇶🇦 (@QSL) April 5, 2024 The Kenyan international was again at the center of attention five minutes later picking the ball on his preferred right foot before swinging in an overhead cross that landed right in front of Sultan Al Brake to net a third and match-winner.Despite collecting maximum points Galtier’s charges were unlucky to lose former Liverpool and Barcelona stars Philippe Coutinho to an injury.The goal took Olunga’s season tally to 13 league goals, five behind top scorer Yacine Brahimi of Al Gharafa.With the win, Al Duhail moved sixth on the 12-team log with 25 points from 19 games.Defending champions Ahly, Mamelodi Sundowns ease into CAF Champions League semi-finalsErick Ouma features in Rakow Czestochowa’s defeat In Poland, Kenyan defender Erick Ouma played the entire match as his side Rakow Czestochowa lost 2-1 to tenth-placed Radomiak in the Ekstraklasa league match.It was the first match the left-back was playing full minutes after being stretched off a month ago with a potential injury in Rakow’s 2-0 win against Korona FC.Radomiak went ahead in the 25th minute thanks to Stratos Svarnas’s own goal before Jardel doubled their lead with a minute to the break. Giannis Papanikolaou grabbed a consolation for Dawid Szwarga’s men four minutes after the restart.The defeat leaves Rakow third on the log with 45 points but could drop out of the top six if all the three teams behind them win their matches.Kombo KO’s Njau to book Kenya Open final against schoolboy JumaIn South Africa, it was a no-show for defender Brian Onyango as his side Mamelodi Sundowns overpowered Yanga 3-2 on post-match penalties to book a place in the 2023/2024 CAF Champions League semi-final.
