- Harambee Stars skipper Michael Olunga has been nominated for the Best 2025 Footballer of the Year at the Africa Golden Awards.
- He will be competing for the award alongside Mohamed Salah, Ademola Lookman, and other top stars from Africa.
- The 2025 Africa Golden Awards ceremony is set to be held at the Serena Hotel in Nairobi on May 3.
Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga has been nominated for the prestigious Africa Golden Awards in the Best 2025 Footballer of the Year category.
The accomplished striker will be competing for the coveted award alongside 2024 Africa’s top player of the year Ademola Lookman of Nigeria and Senegal’s all-time top scorer and captain Sadio Mané.
Liverpool’s Egyptian sensation Mohamed Salah has made the shortlist as well as Stéphane Aziz (Burkina Faso), Percy Tau (South Africa) and Qatar SC’s Riyad Mahrez.
Further elevating the star-studded list are Saudi Pro League standout Kalidou Koulibaly (Al Hilal SFC and Senegal) and Manchester United’s Cameroonian shot-stopper Andre Onana.
Other notable nominees include Achraf Hakimi (Morocco), former Manchester United player Eric Bailly (Ivory Coast), Arsenal midfielder and Ghanaian international Thomas Partey, as well as his compatriot Mohammed Kudus of West Ham United.
Manchester United winger Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast) has also made the list, along with Franck Kessié (Ivory Coast) and South African international Ronwen Williams, who plays for Mamelodi Sundowns.
Michael Olunga achievements
Since joining Qatar-based Al-Duhail SC in January 2021 from Japanese side Kashiwa Reysol, Olunga has been a pivotal figure at the club. He played a key role in helping them clinch the 2022/2023 Qatar Stars League title in May, scoring 22 goals to win the Golden Boot.
Currently, Olunga has netted 11 goals in 16 matches, helping his team sit at the top of the standings with 44 points from 19 games.
In addition, last year Olunga made history at Al-Duhail by becoming the club’s all-time leading goal scorer with an impressive 121 goals.
On the international stage, Olunga achieved another milestone during the recent international break, ranking among Kenya’s top four all-time scorers with 32 goals since his debut for the national team in 2015, during a friendly match against Seychelles.
He helped Kenya come from behind to secure a 3-3 draw with Gambia, scoring from the penalty spot, and also found the net against Gabon in a World Cup qualifying match, though Kenya was defeated 1-2.
Olunga is just three goals shy of becoming Kenya’s all-time top scorer.
ALSO READ: Where does Michael Olunga rank in Harambee Stars’ all-time top scorer list?
The 2025 Africa Golden Awards will be held on May 3rd, 2025, at the Emara Ole Sereni Hotel in Nairobi.
This prestigious event will celebrate excellence in entertainment, business, sports, and culture, with live performances from top African stars and a wide audience across the continent and beyond.
Where to vote for Olunga
To vote for Michael Olunga, click here.
2025 Best Footballer of the Year Nominees
- Michael Olunga – Kenya – Al Duhail SC
- Mohamed Salah – Egypt – Liverpool
- Stéphane Aziz – Burkina Faso – Yanga
- Percy Tau – South Africa – Qatar FC
- Ademola Lookman – Nigeria – Atalanta BC
- Sadio Mané – Senegal – Al Nassr
- Kalidou Koulibaly – Senegal – Al Hilal SFC
- Andre Onana – Cameroon – Manchester United
- Achraf Hakimi – Morocco – Paris Saint-Germain
- Eric Bailly – Ivory Coast – Al Nassr
- Thomas Partey – Ghana – Arsenal
- Mohammed Kudus – Ghana – West Ham United
- Amad Diallo – Ivory Coast – Manchester United
- Franck Kessie – Ivory Coast – Al Ahli
- Ronwen Williams – South Africa – Mamelodi Sundowns
- Riyad Mahrez – Algeria – Al Ahli
