Ace Football presents a detailed list of the best forwards to have played for the Harambee Stars.
Kenya does not have as many continental trophies as Africa’s leading football nations. However, they have consistently retained their place among the main powerhouses of East Africa.
Several generations of Kenyan footballers have achieved legendary statuses both in the country’s domestic league and abroad. Having already covered articles on the best defenders and midfielders of the Harambee Stars, we now take a look at the greatest forwards to have graced Kenyan football.
5- Francis Kahata
During the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, the midfield duo of Kahata and Victor Wanyama helped the Harambee Stars secure a spot in the tournament.
However, playing as an attacking midfielder is not Kahata’s only speciality. The former Simba SC star has also played as a left-winger and a striker during his career.
Kahata’s brilliant free-kick against Nigeria in 2014 held the Super Eagles to a draw in their World Cup qualifying game. In addition to playing for several Kenyan sides, Kahata spent a short loan spell at Albanian club KF Tirana in 2014.
4- Michael Olunga
The second active player on our list, Olunga established himself as one of the J-League’s best strikers after his move to Kashiwa Reysol in 2018.
The Kenya star helped Kashiwa win the country’s second-tier league in his first season at the club. He then became the J-League’s top scorer in the next campaign, registering 28 goals.
The Harambee Stars striker’s brilliant performances for Kashiwa also won him J-League’s Player of the Season award at the end of the 2019-20 campaign.
Since making his Kenya debut in 2015, the striker has scored 21 goals in his 48 appearances for the national team. If his current form continues, the former Gor Mahia star can potentially break many Harambee Stars records before his retirement.
3- Wilberforce Mulamba
An unstoppable force down Kenya’s left flank, Mulamba was famous for his sudden runs into the opposition’s box. His fast pace and brilliant dribbling skills earned him the nickname of Kenya’s ‘Maradona’.
Mulamba almost never played as a target striker. However, he became AFC Leopards’ all-time top-scorer by registering 137 goals during his lengthy spell at the club.
2- Dennis Oliech
Having started his football career at Mathare United, Oliech moved to Nantes in 2006 to kick-start his European career. The Harambee stars winger stayed for six years in France, playing for teams in different tiers of French football.
Throughout the 2000s, Oliech stayed as a major force in Kenya’s attacking unit. His versatility enabled him to play as a right midfielder and an attacking midfielder in addition to his original winger background.
Oliech scored three goals for the Harambee Stars during their 2004 AFCON campaign, where they finished third in the group stage. He made a total of 72 appearances for Kenya, scoring 34 goals for the national team.
1- Mike Okoth
Okoth was one of the first Kenyan stars to break into a major European football league. Following his brilliant performances in the Kenyan Premier League, Okoth secured a move to Oostende in 1992.
He went on to feature for several other sides in Belgium, where he stayed until his retirement. During his decade-long international career, Okoth made 120 caps for Kenya, scoring 28 goals. He represented the Harambee Stars in three AFCON tournaments while winning the Belgian league with Genk twice.
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