‘He could run through a brick wall for me’ – those are the words Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has used to describe striker Ryan Wesley Ogam.
The 20-year old’s two goals have been crucial for Kenya at the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN), securing victories over Zambia and Morocco, enabling Kenya finish top of Group A to make the quarter finals.
Ogam’s story is one of resilience, faith and determination. In March, just after McCarthy was appointed Harambee Stars coach, the South African called in a provisional squad for training ahead of a World Cup qualifier.
Despite him being injured, Ogam still showed up for training, and this is where his love story with McCarthy started.
Soon after the Stars training camp, Ogam had to go under the knife, as medical tests had revealed he had a meniscus tear which required surgery. That surgery would require him to sit out of football for a minimum three months.
Devastating for the young lad. He had been a boy fully blown into stardom. He joined 13-time FKF Premier League champions Tusker FC at the start of the season, and was only joining in as a midfielder. He had played in midfield for his previous club Rainbow FC, and not in his wildest dreams had he thought he was going to be a striker.
Long story short, he scored on his debut, an international friendly match in Uganda against Soltilo Bright Stars. He went on to fully blow up in the FKF Premier League, scoring 15 goals in 13 first leg games. He would have featured in all 17 games, but was out for three due to a minor cut he picked in a domestic accident.
And now, he is making waves with the national team. Ogam has already earned plaudits from the CAF Technical Study Group and was also singled out as one of the standout players.
He speaks to Telecomasia.net on how the competition has sharpened him to be ready for the top level.
- How has the experience of playing at the CHAN been for you?
- It has been a really great experience honestly. It is the first time ever I am playing at such a level and I have learnt a lot, and it has given me a lot of confidence moving forward. The experience picked up from playing at such a tempo is priceless.
- You started off slow, but once you picked up, you were unstoppable. How did you manage to roll yourself into the game?
- The first two games were not very bad. In the first match, it was a little bit tetchy and rusty. I had not started a competitive match in almost five months. My only competitive minutes were when I came off as a substitute in the final game of the season with Tusker. This was a big stage and it was my first time. However, in the second game, I adapted really well and had very good chances to score. That’s why in the third and fourth game I got on the scoresheet.
- How would you say you performed, personally and as a team?
- Personally, I would say I did okay. Of course there’s more I would have wanted to achieve but looking at how far we came and the numbers I put in, I can say it was satisfactory. As a team we did really well. Of course we wanted to go all the way to the final because it is being played on home soil but it was never to be.
We came off a very tough group beating teams like DR Congo and Morocco who have won this trophy twice before and that is not a mean achievement. We grew together each game and I believe became stronger. On a different day, we should have beaten Madagascar, but that is football. It is not always that things go your way.
We picked so many lessons together and hopefully, we grow from here.
- The coach said dome really touching words about you. How much have these motivated you?
- To be honest, they mean a lot. He is not just a coach, but a former player who achieved everything at the highest level. He won the Champions League, is the highest scorer in his country and has coached my favourite team Manchester United. To get to hear such words from him not only motivate but inspire me. It pushes me to give more than 100 percent on the pitch and ensure I don’t let him down.
- It's been a roller-coaster of a season for you, of course with the injury derailing most of your plans in the season. Are you pleased that at least you managed to be well in time for CHAN?
- I am really delighted because always, the plan was to try and come back before CHAN. The postponement from January to August was a huge blessing for me because it gave me much more time to recover. Of course at some point I was a bit worried whether I would recover in time and whether I would be fit enough to play, but I am delighted things fell in place at the right time.
I worked hard with the doctors and physios to ensure that I at least was ready for the training program. It was made better with the fact that I was able to play at least some few minutes of competitive football.
- Despite everything, how would you rate your season?
- I can say it was a huge success, and easily the best season I have had in football. When I joined Tusker, I didn’t know I was going to play as a striker. I came in knowing I would still be playing in my midfield role but in training, the coach put me in as a striker. I quickly changed my mindset and framed myself to think and play as a striker.
I didn’t expect to score those many goals but once they started coming in, I picked up the confidence and kept scoring. I am thankful for everything that happened. It has been a process of learning and relearning and being mentally strong.
I look at my return to the national team as a second chance to prove myself and I am glad I did my best. I am not taking this tournament lightly and it will forever live in my memory. I know it will easily put me on the big stage.
- Do you think it has opened up doors for you and what is your plan for the new season?
- Definitely yes. I believe it has already opened big doors and we will sit down with my family and representatives and the club (Tusker FC) as well, to plan on the future.
