Ryan Ogam finally made his debut for Austrian side Wolfsberger after signing from Tusker in September, but his coach believes he must do more work to earn a place in the team.

Wolfsberger AC head coach Ferdinand Feldhofer has challenged Harambee Stars forward Ryan Ogam to show greater drive and consistency if he is to secure more minutes for the Austrian Bundesliga side following his long-awaited debut.

Ogam, 20, finally made his first appearance for Wolfsberger AC as a substitute during their 3-1 win over Grazer AK, marking an important milestone in his European football journey. 

The former Tusker FC forward joined the Austrian outfit in September after catching the club’s attention with his standout performances for Kenya at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) on home soil, where the Stars reached the quarter-finals.

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Speaking after the convincing victory, Feldhofer praised the team’s depth but was quick to remind new signings such as Ogam that selection would be earned strictly on merit.

“Selection is a competition — between our Austrian players and our foreign players,” the Wolfsberger coach said. 

“Whoever shows more drive and willingness will be in the squad or the starting eleven. Congratulations to the next youngster who helped us this season — there have already been a few. That’s our way and we’ll stick to it.”

Feldhofer’s comments underline the club’s emphasis on internal competition and development, particularly for young prospects adapting to the intensity of Austrian football.

Ogam’s arrival had been met with excitement after his exploits at CHAN 2024, where he scored decisive, match-winning goals for the Harambee Stars — most memorably against Morocco, a former champion and tournament favourite.

 That goal earned him the Man of the Match award and helped Kenya secure a historic quarter-final berth, with his performances drawing comparisons to national team captain Michael Olunga.

Wolfsberger AC president Dietmar Riegler confirmed that the club had monitored Ogam’s progress for months before sealing his transfer, describing the Kenyan attacker as “an investment in youthful flair and goal-scoring urgency.”

Ogam, who signed a contract running until June 30, 2028, now faces the task of adjusting to the tactical demands of European football while competing for a regular starting role.

For the promising forward, the message from Feldhofer is clear — talent alone won’t be enough; hunger, discipline, and consistency will define his Wolfsberger adventure.