Kenya’s Michael Olunga excited to face Nigeria’s Odion Ighalo
Al-Duhail’s Kenyan striker Michael Olunga is feeling happy and delighted after scoring twice in his side's AFC Champions League 2-1 win over Saudi Arabian side Al-Shabab on Thursday.
Following a goalless first half, Michael Olunga scored in the 71st minute to give Qatari side Al-Duhail the lead.
He then doubled his team’s advantage in the 85th minute, helping them secure the victory and a spot in the semifinals for the first time in the club’s history. Al-Shabab got a late consolation from Al Rubaie.
“It feels good to score two goals today,” Olunga told Omasports exclusively in Doha, Qatar.
“In these type of games the details matter and at the end to score two goals and help the team advance to the semifinals for the first time in the history of this club is something very important and comes with a very good feeling.
“We now have to try and recover for the semifinals on Sunday, and you know the little details will make all the difference.
Olunga, 28, also stated that reaching the semifinals has given his team extra desire to go on and win the trophy, but that they will take it one step at a time, beginning on Sunday.
“When you reach the semifinals in a competition like this you start to dream.
“There are still tough games to come against good opponents who are playing in the other semifinals. We have to win games like that before we can start thinking of the final, so hopefully we’ll see what happens.”
Defending champions Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia defeated Iranian side Foolad 1-0 in one of the other quarter-finals. This now means that a semifinals pairing has been set, with Al-Duhail and Al-Hilal competing for a place in the final.
Al-Hilal has Nigerian striker Odion Ighalo on its books, and Micheal Olunga is excited to face his fellow African, whom he refers to as “one of the best strikers” the continent has produced.
He said: “Ighalo is one the best strikers African has produced in recent times and he his doing really well for Al-Hilal. He has performed in the biggest stage like at the African Cup of Nationals (AFCON) 2019 where he was the top scorer.
“I respect him and it’s normally good when you’re able to share the same pitch with players like him.
“It is a fantastic feeling.”
Michael Olunga also thanked the fans for their support and stated that the victory over Al-Shabab belonged to them as well as the entire technical team.
