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The Kenyan international will lift his maiden league crown on Monday if Al-Duhail secure the result they need in the season finale
Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga is in line for his first league title in Qatar as his side Al-Duhail hold a two-point lead heading into the final game on Monday.
Olunga has collected a number of cups, including this season where he already has two in the bag, but he could claim the big one on Monday night if results go Al-Duhail’s way.
The title race has been taken down to the wire with Al-Duhail locked in a fierce fight with Al Arabi, leading the 12-team log on 48 points, just two ahead of their rivals, and must beat ninth-placed Al-Shamal to secure the trophy, which will be Olunga’s first league title, since moving to Qatar in 2021.
A draw could still be enough as long as second-placed Al Arabi do not win by more than two goals away to outgoing champions Al Sadd in what appears to be a tough match for them on paper.
Al-Duhail last claimed the Qatar Stars League title in the 2019-20 season and having seen Al Sadd win the last two, they have worked their way to the top this term and are just 90 minutes away from their coronation, if everything goes to plan.
Olunga has played a key part in their run to the title, bagging 18 league goals and three assists, which leaves him chasing a second successive Golden Boot Award, although he is tied with Al Arabi’s Omar Al Somah in the top scorer’s race.
The 29-year-old has come up trumps for Al-Duhail, scoring goals in crucial times to earn them wins especially in tight matches.
Hernan Crespo’s men could, therefore, reap the rewards of their hard work on Monday and they appear to have the easier match, at least on paper, against Al Sadd, who denied Al-Duhail early celebrations when they hit them 3-1 at their own backyard last Thursday.
Olunga is also in line for more accolades, having been nominated for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award on Sunday.
The 29-year-old bagged the top scorer’s award last season after scoring 24 goals in 20 games and while his league tally has reduced this term, he is on course to beating his 2021-21 haul, having netted 36 goals in 37 outings, compared to 30 in all comp0etitions the previous year.
Olunga has already won two trophies season, when he led Al-Duhail to the Qatar Cup following a victory against Al Sadd in the final in March, the win coming just days after lifting the Ooredoo Cup, in which he emerged top scorer with 10 goals.
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