Harambee Stars' Ryan Ogam celebrates his goal against Morocco during their Chan Group 'A' match at Kasarani on August 10, 2025.
Rising star Ryan Ogam etched his name in Harambee Stars’ history book on Sunday, at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani in Nairobi, after scoring the only goal in Kenya’s memorable 1-0 victory over two-time tournament champions Morocco in their third Group “A” match of the delayed 2024 African Nations Championship.
The goal by the 20-year-old, six-inch one-foot Tusker hitman kept Kenya atop the group table on seven points from three matches and within touching distance of the quarter-finals.
“That was the best moment of my career,” said Ogam, who sat his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education exams at Dagoretti High School in 2022.
He dedicated the goal, his second in international football, to his family, friends, and the Umoja community in Nairobi, where he grew up.
Kenya's Ryan Ogam celebrates after scoring a goal during their 2024 Chan Group 'A' match against Morocco at Moi Internationals Sports Centre, Kasarani, on August 10,2025.
“I’ve always wanted to score for the national team in a major competition, and it happened at the perfect moment, in a game where we needed maximum points. I’m very proud.”
Despite midfielder Chrispine Erambo’s red card in added time of the first half, Ogam said coach Bennie McCarthy encouraged the team at half-time, reinforcing their belief in their ability to win.
“Nothing changed. We approached the match the same way. We maintained a positive mentality, and the early goal gave us the morale to push even harder,” noted Ogam, a son of former Gor Mahia defender David Rabuok.
Ogam reckons the team’s high confidence played a significant role in the win.
“A lot of people expected Morocco to win. The confidence in the changing room was high, giving us an extra push. We’ll approach the next match with the same seriousness and hopefully pick up maximum points.”
Ogam started in Kenya’s opening match, a 1-0 victory over DR Congo at MISC on August 3, but was replaced in the 79th minute.
He came in as a second half substitute against Angola but failed to see the back of the net.
Harambee Stars players during their 2024 Chan Group 'A' match against Morocco at Kasarani on August 10, 2025.
He was fielded against Morocco and repaid coach Benni McCarthy’s confidence in him with a sumptuous goal late in the 42nd minute.
His scoring ability was obvious despite a knee injury that kept him out of the local league for three months.
Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy addresses the media after the team's training session at Nyayo National Stadium on July 23, 2025
Even with that injury-enforced interruption, Ogam, a native of Siaya, played in 15 matches and scored 15 goals, two behind top scorer Moses Shummah, formerly with Kakamega Homeboys, but now with Power Dynamos of Zambia.
He was easily the most efficient striker in the Kenyan Premier League last season.
“After a challenging season with an injury, scoring the winning goal felt like God’s plan. I have been patient, and it has finally happened.”
Inspired by Nigeria international and Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen, Ogam debuted for Kenya in January at the Mapinduzi Cup in Zanzibar, scoring his first international goal in a 2-0 win over Kilimanjaro Stars.
The eldest of three siblings (two boys and one girl), Ogam also played for Kenya Under-17’s Junior Stars and Under-20’s Rising Stars.
He joined Tusker in the 2024/25 season on a two-year deal from Rainbow FC (now Glorious FC) after a six-month loan to Dubai’s Elite Falcons in 2023.
A previous deal to join Algerian side USAM Alger fell through due to unmet expectations.
As he looks forward to scoring more goals for Kenya, Ogam plans to pursue a hospitality course driven by his passion for cooking when his football career comes to an end.
“I can prepare meat stew and pilau nicely. I love cooking,” he said.
Needless to say, in his free time, the new Kenyan hero enjoys cooking and watching movies.
The prolific scorer confesses his love for chapati. “I can eat seven in one meal.”
He will likely be fielded on Sunday against Zambia at MISC as Kenyans look forward to him taking them to seventh heaven.
