Vinh, 5 September, 2025 – Foreign striker Michael Olaha has publicly expressed his wish to obtain Vietnamese citizenship in order to represent the Vietnam national football team in the future. The revelation came through head coach Pham Van Quyen, who confirmed that the long-serving Song Lam Nghe An forward has serious intentions about naturalization.
“If I get the chance, I want to contribute to the Vietnam national team,” Olaha reportedly shared with Van Quyen, highlighting his ambition to extend his career beyond club football and make an impact on the international stage.
Olaha is among the most experienced and respected foreign players in the V.League 1. The Nigerian forward first joined Song Lam Nghe An in 2017 and immediately established himself as a powerful attacking presence, known for his strength, aerial ability, and goal-scoring instincts. After three successful years, he left Vietnam to sign for Hapoel Tel Aviv in the Israeli Premier League in 2020.
However, Olaha’s bond with Vietnamese football drew him back. In July 2021, he returned to Song Lam Nghe An and has since remained one of the club’s most influential players, even wearing the captain’s armband in recent seasons. Across his two stints in V.League 1, Olaha has scored 44 goals in 165 appearances for Song Lam Nghe An, making him one of the most prolific foreign signings in the club’s history.
His commitment and longevity in Vietnamese football have made him a fan favorite in Nghe An, where he is admired not only for his on-field contributions but also for his leadership qualities. As the current skipper of Song Lam Nghe An, Olaha plays a vital role in guiding the club’s younger players while consistently delivering reliable performances.
The news of Olaha’s desire to naturalize comes in the wake of midfielder Nguyen Xuan Son’s successful process of switching nationality, which has inspired other long-term foreign professionals in V.League 1 to consider similar paths. With the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) increasingly open to strengthening the national team through naturalized players, Olaha’s case could spark discussions about the potential impact of such additions.
At 27 years old, Olaha still has many playing years ahead of him, and his vast experience in V.League 1 could make him a valuable asset if given the opportunity to wear the national team jersey. For now, his priority remains leading Song Lam Nghe An through the challenges of the 2025/26 V.League 1 season, but his long-term dream is clearly focused on representing Vietnam at the international level.
Should his naturalization process be approved, Michael Olaha would not only mark another milestone for Vietnamese football but also continue the growing trend of foreign-born players making meaningful contributions to the national team setup.
Kim Anh
Leave a Reply