Olaha Manh Duc is attracting particular attention following his inclusion in the latest Vietnam national football team squad announced by head coach Kim Sang Sik.

The call-up of the Cong An Ho Chi Minh City striker suggests that Kim is actively broadening his attacking options, with naturalized players continuing to play an important role in his plans.

Born in Lagos, Nigeria, in 1997, Olaha arrived in Vietnam in 2017 and began playing for Song Lam Nghe An (SLNA). In his debut season, he played a significant role in helping the club win the National Cup.

For the 2026/27 season, Olaha joined Cong An Ho Chi Minh City and quickly established himself as a key figure in attack. He scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory over The Cong Viettel in the fourth round of the V-League and also found the net in the ASEAN Club Championship.

Can Olaha Manh Duc follow Xuan Son's example?

When Xuan Son was first given his opportunity with Vietnam, the national team's attacking strength improved considerably.

The Thep Xanh Nam Dinh striker became a decisive figure in several matches and tournaments, often carrying much of the attacking responsibility and contributing significantly to the Golden Star Warriors' success under Kim Sang Sik.

Olaha shares several characteristics with Xuan Son. Having spent many years competing in the V-League, he has developed a strong understanding of Vietnamese football and culture.

At 29, he is also at a similar stage of his career to Xuan Son, combining physical strength with valuable playing experience.

With Xuan Son currently sidelined by injury, Olaha's arrival offers fresh hope for both Kim Sang Sik and Vietnamese supporters.

His main strengths include physical fitness, pace and the ability to operate independently in attack. These qualities could provide Kim with greater tactical flexibility and potentially give Vietnam another reliable goalscoring option.

Years of experience in Vietnamese football should also help Olaha adapt quickly to the national team's tactical systems, playing style and off-field environment.

That familiarity is precisely what Kim Sang Sik would want from a newcomer joining the squad.

Vietnam friendlies offer first major test

Whether Olaha can reproduce Xuan Son's influence at international level, however, remains to be seen.

Kim Sang Sik will have an opportunity to assess the striker during Vietnam's two upcoming matches against Chinese Taipei and Kyrgyzstan at an international friendly tournament organized by the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF).

Strong performances in these fixtures could significantly improve Olaha's prospects of securing a regular place in the national team.

Looking further ahead, competition for attacking positions is likely to intensify when Xuan Son returns and players such as Hoang Hen, along with other potential naturalized additions, become available.

Olaha will therefore need to prove that he offers something distinctive if he hopes to establish himself as a lasting presence in Vietnam's attack.

Dai Nam