Leopards

AFC Leopards forward Sydney Lokale has sensationally proclaimed himself as the perfect heir to Harambee Stars captain and lead striker Michael Olunga.

Lokale has enjoyed a purple patch since returning to the Kenyan top tier in July, with his goal-scoring form at the Den securing him a return to the national team Harambee Stars after five years in the cold. He joined Leopards after quietly parting company with Congolese side, Saint Eloi Lupopo, a club he served for two seasons.

His good start of life at Ingwe coupled with the return to Stars have left the towering attacker confident of filling in the gap that Olunga will leave in the national team when he calls time to his international career.

I AM THE NEXT MICHAEL OLUNGA
The topic of who is talented and goal-hungry enough to succeed Olunga on the national team remains a hot discussion in Kenyan football circles.

Stars have always struggled to score goals, and win matches in the absence of Olunga as evidenced in the opening 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against; Zimbabwe and Namibia and in any other matches he has missed.

Records indicate that the Al Duhail striker has scored 27 goals for Stars, seven shy of former skipper Dennis Oliech and eighth off the tally of the all-time top scorer William ‘Chege’ Ouma.

Several coaches have tried to groom the next Olunga with Benson Omala, John Avire, Jonah Ayunga, Alfred Scriven, David Sakwa, Elvis Rupia and others being fronted as potential successors to the former Gor Mahia star.

Amid the trial and error method employed by various Stars coaches in a bid to fish out Olunga’s heir, Lokale has declared himself ready. The former KCB striker conceded that Olunga remains his role model and will do everything possible to play alongside him and later assume his role in the national team upon his retirement.

“I believe I have what it takes to fill the gap Olunga will leave in the national team. That has always been my plan from the time I started playing in the Kenyan top tier. I like his style of play, hard work, commitment, discipline and how lethal he is in front of the goal. I am confident that I will pick from where he will leave,” Lokale told SportsBoom.

LOKALE EAGER TO FOLLOW OLUNGA’S FOOTSTEPS
Stars heavily relied on Oliech for goals before the emergence of Olunga, who came through the U23 team, with his form at Gor also helping his quest for minutes in the national team. Olunga occasionally partnered with Oliech, especially in the latter’s final years at Stars, preparing him fully for the task of leading the team’s forward line.

Lokale seeks to follow suit by playing next to Olunga in the near future, which he believes, will ready and usher him for the big role.

“Former Harambee Stars coaches handled Olunga’s transition to the senior team very well. They allowed him to partner Oliech even in big matches, enabling him to blend in seamlessly. He worked hard for the minutes he got when Oliech was active. I would wish to have a similar experience,” he opened up.

LOKALE EYEING CHAN REDEMPTION
Meanwhile, the former Kariobangi Sharks forward aims to make amends to the disastrous performance Stars had in the 2019 CHAN qualifiers when the team takes on South Sudan on October 27.

Lokale was part of the Stars team that was eliminated by Tanzania 4-1 on post-match penalties following barren draws in the first and second legs. He hopes to find the back of the net and inspire Stars to a big win over the Bright Stars if he is included in the team.

“I still have bad memories of the last CHAN qualifiers we played. We lost a game we would have won in a convincing way. I am working hard to be drafted in the team and ultimately help the team build-up for the tournament well.” he said.

The former Nakuru All Stars player believes that good performances in the CHAN will earn him minutes in next year’s World Cup qualifiers. “I am sure good performances in the CHAN qualifiers and tournament will come in handy in my quest for playing time in the senior team, especially in bigger assignments,” he added.