Over the years, the Kenyan football sector has brought forward great footballers with impressive performances. These legendary players brought thrill to the sport, from Joe Kadenge to Ogolla Kadir to Mahmoud Mohamed and Dennis Oliech. But who can be classified as the best football players in Kenya of all time?
This list of the best football players in Kenya of all time is carefully curated with the most remarkable peaks in mind. The factors considered for ranking the players include clean sheets, goals, winning trophies, and assists. Without keeping you waiting, let us have a look at the top 10 best Kenyan football players.
Mohammed Abass
Mohammed Abass is an ex-Leopard and Harambee Stars keeper who is among the greatest Kenyan football players. He started his career as a goalkeeper at Harambee Stars at 19 and became a significant figure in the football sector. Abass represented Harambee Stars in various international events and was part of the squad that won the Cecafa Cup in a 1981, 1982, and 1983.
Musa Otieno
Otieno is among the famous Kenya football players who enjoyed his illustrious career as a Tusker FC and AFC Leopard player. He is one of Kenya’s best football players, having made his national appearance in 1993 playing against Zaire. He is the current national football team assistant coach.
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Dennis Oliech
Oliech is a celebrated retired Kenyan footballer who played as a striker. He began his career at Dagoretti Santos and then shifted to Mathare United. He also played for Al-Arabi in Qatar until 2005. At 19 years old, Oliech was named as one of the world’s most promising young players, a list that had players like Robin Van Persie and Wayne Rooney.
Victor Wanyama
Wanyama is one of the Kenya football players in the premier league. The professional player plays for Major League Soccer and the Kenya national team. In July 2013, he moved to Southampton, and in 2016, he started playing for Tottenham Hotspur. The Kenyan international footballer has earned over 60 caps for his Kenyan team.
Michael Olunga
Olunga is often considered as the greatest Kenyan soccer player. He is the striker for Al-Duhali and the Kenya national team captain. The celebrated player started his career with Liberty Sports Academy and scored 32 goals during the 2012 season.
Mcdonald Mariga
Mariga is among the best Kenyan football players. The former Kenyan footballer began his career at Ulinzi Stars and later moved to Tusker FC and Kenya Pipeline. He takes the record for being the first Kenyan footballer to play in UEFA Champions League.
Robert Mambo Mumba
Mumba is a retired Kenyan footballer and a former player of GIF Sundsvall, a Swedish football club. Before moving to Europe, Mumba played for Kenya Pipeline FC, Coast Stars, and Nyoka FC. During his tenure, he scored 15 goals for Kenya.
Thomas Deng
Deng was born in Kenya and has represented the Australian national team. He debuted his football career at 16 at Western Eagles FC. Deng began his senior career by playing for Melbourne Victory.
Jonathan Nyamanga
Nyamanga was a defender who earned 80 caps for the Kenya national football team and scored 17 goals. He was also the first Kenyan to lead the national team to the finals of the African Nations Cup. He played for Kenya Breweries and Abaluhya United.
Allan Thigo
Thigo is a retired Kenyan international footballer who played as a midfielder. He started his career at 18 and spent most of his time playing with Gor Mahia FC, where he helped the team to reach the final of the African Cup Winner’s Cup in 1979. During his football career, he made 81 appearances.
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List of Top 50 Kenyan Soccer Players
| Name | Goals | |
| 1. | Mohammed Abass | 0 |
| 2. | Musa Otieno | 9 |
| 3. | Dennis Oliech | 34 |
| 4. | Victor Wanyama | 8 |
| 5. | Michael Olunga | 29 |
| 6. | McDonald Mariga | 4 |
| 7. | Robert Mambo Mumba | 13 |
| 8. | Thomas Deng | 0 |
| 9. | Jonathan Nyamanga | 17 |
| 10. | Allan Thigo | 11 |
| 11. | Titus Mulama | 8 |
| 12. | William Ouma | 35 |
| 13. | David Owino | 2 |
| 14. | Bobby Ogolla | 1 |
| 15. | Sammy Omollo | 2 |
| 16. | Elijah Lidonde | 33 |
| 17. | Ali Kajo | 26 |
| 18. | Mike Origi | 17 |
| 19. | Maurice Sunguti | 14 |
| 20. | Henry Motego | 12 |
| 21. | Jonathan Niva | 10 |
| 22. | Mark Sirengo | 7 |
| 23. | Allan Wanga | 12 |
| 24. | Jockins Atundo | 6 |
| 25. | Joe Masiga | 6 |
| 26. | Anthony Lwanga | 4 |
| 27. | Livingstone Madegwa | 26 |
| 28. | Daniel Nicodemus | 17 |
| 29. | Ambrose Ayoyi | 13 |
| 30. | Charles Ochieng | 11 |
| 31. | Aggrey Lukoye | 10 |
| 32. | Jared Ingutia | 7 |
| 33. | Ahmed Breik | 7 |
| 34. | Munialo Opicho | 8 |
| 35. | Jack Shikhulu | 7 |
| 36. | Elly Adero | 6 |
| 37. | Peter Ouma | 6 |
| 38. | Abbas Magongo | 4 |
| 39. | David Asibwa | 4 |
| 40. | Sammy Onyango | 3 |
| 41. | Pascal Ochieng | 3 |
| 42. | Tom Juma | 2 |
| 43. | Martin Ochieng | 2 |
| 44. | Patrick Oboya | 2 |
| 45. | Francis Kahata | 2 |
| 46. | David Owino | 2 |
| 47. | Douglas Mutua | 3 |
| 48. | Mike Mururi | 3 |
| 49. | Kenneth Muguna | 2 |
| 50. | Kevin Ochieng | 2 |
Fast Facts About Best Football Players in Kenya of All Time
Who is the best footballer in Kenya?
Mahmoud Abbas is considered the best footballer in Kenya.
Who is the highest-paid footballer in Kenya?
Michael Olunga is the highest-paid footballer in Kenya.
Who is the number 1 player in football history?
Jae Kadenge is a famous former Kenyan footballer who ruled on the pitch as a winger.
How much is Olunga paid per week?
Olunga is a highly-ranked footballer who earns about Ksh.58 million per week.
Conclusion
This list of the best football players in Kenya of all time showcases players who performed impressively. They come from different teams: Harambee Stars, Gor Mahia, and Leopard FC, among other Kenyan teams. These celebrated sportsmen flew the Kenyan flag high with their unrivalled football skills.
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