Ogam ready for a 'different' role as Harambee Stars take on Angola

Ogam, a centre-forward at Tusker FC and who has previously played as a defender before joining the Ruaraka brewers, was on Sunday started as a winger against Congo DR by McCarthy.

The coach was comfortable with his performance at his unusual role, in his post-match remarks noting that all the players he redeployed from their usual roles were shifted for specific tactical reasons.

Not only Ogam, Manzur Okwaro also played in a defensive midfield role during the Congo DR match, away from his usual full-back duties at his club KCB FC, and flourished much to the joy of McCarthy.

Just hours to Thursday’s duel with Angola, a seemingly relaxed Ogam told journalists during Harambee Stars last training session at the Kasarani Stadium that he is open to a different role in the match.

“I’m not sure what the plan is but maybe I could play as a centre-forward if I’m given that chance. We unfortunately have an injured player so that could necessitate some changes, but I’m ready for the task. I hope to score some goals tomorrow (Thursday),” he noted.

Having recently overcome an injury that kept him out of action in the entire second half of last season, Ogam is confident that his scoring touch is back.

This is despite failing to find the back of the net against Congo DR, a match Kenya won through Austin Odhiambo’s goal.

“Of course I’ve been scoring in training sessions. It’s only that on Sunday I did not get good opportunities but going into tomorrow’s match, I feel positive. However, the most important thing is team win, regardless of who scores,” the Kenyan Premier League Second Runners-up top scorer in the 2024/25 season elucidated.  

Ogam believes their opening win against an aggressive Congo DR gives them a chance to play under no pressure against Angola, who lost their opener 2-0 to two-time champions Morocco.

“The first win gave us motivation and coming to the second match, we feel we have the advantage of playing at home now that we are not nervous as we were in the first match. Of course Angola is a good side, but we are well prepared for them,” added Ogam.

At the same time, Captain Aboud Omar has warned that Angola are likely to exhibit their best show possible against Kenya, in a bid to redeem their chances in the tournament after the opening loss.

“Tomorrow they (Angola) could come all out so we have to be very careful because we also want to win and increase our chances of advancing to the next stage. We have analysed how they play and we have prepared how to tackle them, of course going for a win,” the Police FC left-back averred.

“Kenyans have a lot of expectations which comes with some sort of pressure but the target remains the same, we want to win,” Omar added, appealing for more support by the fans as they lock horns with the Palancas Negras.

“Against Congo the fans turned up in large numbers and the support was amazing. We are thankful as players, because DRC were quite a hard nut to crack but with the crowd we felt motivated. I know tomorrow will be a weekday but I still ask Kenyans to come out in large numbers and do their part as we do ours,” Omar concluded.

The Kenya – Angola match will kickoff at 7:00pm EAT at the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani, one hour after the Zambia – Congo DR match at the Nyayo National Stadium.

A win for Kenya will take the hosts to six points.

Meanwhile, co-hosts Tanzania Wednesday night (EAT) edged Mauritania 1-0 to take their tally in Group B to six points.

Shomari Kapombe struck powerfully in the 89th minute to give Taifa Stars the crucial win against a stubborn Mauritania, at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

On Saturday, Tanzania opened their campaign with a 2-0 win over Burkina Faso, who earlier Wednesday thrashed debutants Central African Republic 4-2.