Benni McCarthy names Harambee Stars player possessing his striking attributes
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Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 13.08.25. | 08:10
McCarthy, South Africa’s all-time top scorer with 31 goals, believes the forward has the tools to make a lasting mark on the game
Tusker FC forward Ryan Ogam has earned high praise from Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy, who believes the goal poacher possesses the attributes to become one of Africa’s most lethal strikers.
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Ogam, who began his career as a defensive midfielder before transitioning into the centre-forward role, has enjoyed a meteoric rise at Tusker.
He was deployed as a winger in Harambee Stars’ clash against DR Congo, but it was in his accustomed centre forward role against Morocco that he stole the headlines, scoring the lone goal in a 1-0 victory.
The goal marked a full-circle moment for Ogam, who had been sidelined since Wednesday, 26 February, after suffering a meniscus tear in Tusker’s 1-1 draw with Shabana FC.
Initially thinking the injury was minor, the striker was later forced into surgery in March and missed a majority of the second half of the season, only returning in Tusker’s final FKF Premier League match against Kakamega Homeboyz in June.
Despite the setback, he finished the campaign with an impressive 15 goals in just 17 league appearances.
McCarthy, South Africa’s all-time top scorer with 31 goals, believes Ogam has the tools to make a lasting mark on the game.
“He is a work in progress. He just came off a nasty injury, and we were fortunate to get him back in the CHAN squad.
We were patient with him, and once he regains his sharpness, I think he will have a lovely tournament,” McCarthy said.
The former FC Porto and Blackburn Rovers striker admitted seeing potential flashes of himself emerging as the young Kenyan develops.
“He is sharp, intelligent, and strong. He’s physically good and skilled, probably more than I was when I was playing. As the tournament progresses, you will start to see glimpses of Benni McCarthy in him because Ryan has all the attributes.
What he did against Morocco was incredible. I will nurture him in the best way I can,” McCarthy promised.
On his side, Ogam noted that the Harambee Stars call-up offered him a second chance to chase the targets that injuries interrupted, and the goal was just the beginning.
“This was the best goal in my career so far,” Ogam offered.
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