In a remarkable turn of events, 20-year-old Bryton Onyona has received his first call-up to the Kenyan national football team, Harambee Stars. The left-back, who plays for Gor Mahia, is celebrating his breakthrough just months after making his debut in the top-tier league.
The exciting news came on Friday, November 7, prompting such a surge of joy that Onyona even skipped his usual afternoon nap. “I did not expect it to happen this soon,” he revealed to Mozzart Sport.
It was an unexpected phone call from team manager that confirmed his selection for the upcoming international friendlies against Equatorial Guinea and Senegal, slated for later this month in Turkey.
Onyona’s journey to this milestone has been swift yet inspiring. Just last year, he was honing his skills at Oriwo High School, where he truly began to take football seriously in early 2020.
His talent was recognized when he was promoted from the Gor Mahia youth squad to the senior team in February of this season. Since then, he has made significant strides on the pitch, quickly establishing himself as a key player in his club.
Onyona’s call-up is part of head coach Benni McCarthy’s strategy, who has made three changes to the squad ahead of the friendlies. The left-back was introduced into the mix after his impressive performances that caught the eye of the coaching staff, signaling a new era of talent coming through the ranks of Kenyan football.
Reflecting on the moment he learned of his selection, Onyona spoke of his excitement: “I had just wrapped up team training and was on my way to buy new trainers when Alpha Onyango, a teammate at Gor Mahia, reached out. He said he was forwarding my number to someone at Harambee Stars and that it was urgent. A few minutes later, the Team Manager called to congratulate me.”
His journey is a testament not only to his hard work but also to his dedication and passion for the sport. The young athlete mentioned, “I still went on with my errand, but the excitement was so much that I did not take the nap I had intended to have when I went back home,” showcasing the joy that accompanies such an extraordinary development in his career.
Bryton Onyona’s story serves as an inspiration for aspiring footballers and a reminder of the potential that lies within Kenya’s sporting landscape.
The upcoming friendlies against Equatorial Guinea and Senegal are not just an opportunity for him to showcase his abilities, but also to solidify his place in Harambee Stars’ evolving narrative.
