Stars Abroad: Olunga scores first goal in 2024 as Marcelo, Odada register wins

A number of Kenyan internationals playing professional football outside the country were in action over the weekend.

Some of them like Harambee Stars Captain Michael Ogada Olunga managed to find the back of the net while others played an influential role in helping their sides collect the maximum points.

Here is a wrap of how Kenyan football talents performed over the weekend.

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Olunga scores first goal after returning from injury

Former Gor Mahia forward Michael Olunga scored his first goal for Qatari-based side Al Duhail after returning from an injury.

The 28-year-old was sidelined since early December 2023 after picking up a hamstring injury in an Asian Champions League clash against Persepolis FC.

He returned to action two weeks ago and managed to open his 2024 account last Friday but his effort was not enough as his Al Duhail side succumbed to a 1-4 defeat against Al Gharafa, marking a tenth winless game for them (D2 L8).

“Happy with my first goal of the year after my injury,” Olunga posted afterwards.

The loss left Duhail in seventh spot on 18 points with Al Sadd leading the way on 35 points.

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Erick ‘Marcelo’ Ouma features in Rakow’s huge huge victory in Poland

Harambee Stars left-back Eric 'Marcelo' Ouma helped his club Rakow Czechetowa pick up a 4-0 win over Lech Poznan in Poland.

Ouma, who has been instrumental for his new side since joining them during the January transfer window, was substituted in the 72nd minute.

The win saw Rakow jump to fifth place on the log on 39 points, six behind log-leading Slask Wroclaw.

Up next for Ouma and his Rakow Czestochowa teammates is a league clash against Puszcza Niepolomice slated for Saturday, March 9.

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Odada claims narrow victory in Denmark

Highly-rated midfielder Richard Odada made a substitute appearance in Aab Aalborg’s 2-3 away win over FC Fredericia a Danish topflight match.

The hosts had taken an early lead via Sofus Berger in the 3rd minute before Rasmus Thelander and Mathias Jorgensen scored two quick goals to put Odada’s side in control.

FC Fredericia later found an equalizer courtesy of Christian William Gammelgaard in the 50th minute which made the game more open.

However, as FC Fredericia were trying to complete their comeback, Lars Kramer found the back of the net in the 66th minute to put AaB Aalborg back in the driving seat.

AaB Aalborg managed to hold onto the narrow win which ensured they climbed to the top of the table with 45 points.

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Esse Akida & Christine Nafula face off in Greece

Finally, the Harambee Starlets duo of Esse Mbeyu Akida and Christine Nafula squared it out on Sunday in a Greek Women’s Super league match.

Akida was in the winning side as her side PAOK Thessaloniki bagged a 2-0 win over Nafula’s club Gpo Kastorias.

The vital win helped PAOK Thessaloniki improve their tally this season to 51 points while Gpo Kastorias remained 10th with 16 points.

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