Gor Mahia midfielder Alpha Onyango’s stunning halfway-line strike against Nairobi United has earned him a late recall to the Harambee Stars squad ahead of Kenya’s AFCON 2027 qualifying double-header against South Africa.
The 25-year-old was drafted into the team on Monday as a replacement for injured midfielder Manzur Okwaro, having initially missed out when coach Benni McCarthy trimmed his provisional squad for the two crucial Group D encounters.
Onyango could hardly have picked a better moment to remind McCarthy of his quality.
Trailing 1-0 against Nairobi United at Wang’uru Stadium on Sunday, Gor appeared headed for defeat after Joseph Seremba’s 15th-minute opener.
But with a minute left in regulation time, Onyango produced a moment of brilliance, spotting goalkeeper Bernard Jairo off his line before unleashing an audacious effort from near the halfway line that sailed over the stranded custodian and into the net.
The spectacular equaliser rescued a point for K’Ogalo and took Onyango’s tally to five goals in six SportPesa League appearances this season.
“I always believe that a football match can change in a split second. You have to remain alert and take your chances whenever they come,” Onyango said in remarks prepared for verification.
His recall is recognition of his growing influence at Gor Mahia, where he has developed into one of the team’s key performers.
Comfortable operating as either a central or defensive midfielder, Onyango combines his ball-winning abilities with an impressive eye for goal and the capacity to dictate the pace of a match.
Born and raised in Nairobi’s Makongeni estate, Onyango honed his skills through grassroots football before joining Kakamega High School.
He captained the famous Green Commandos to the 2018 Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association national championship, where he was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
Subsequently, Gor Mahia recruited him while he was still a teenager, and he progressed through the club’s youth ranks before establishing himself in the senior team.
“I have come a long way, and every opportunity to represent my country means a great deal to me. I want to give everything I have for the team,” he said.
Onyango is no stranger to the international stage, having played a prominent role in Kenya’s CHAN 2024 campaign, staged in August 2025, when Harambee Stars reached the quarter-finals.
He was named Man of the Match in the opening group encounter against DR Congo and the quarter-final against Madagascar. In June 2025, he also captained Kenya to a 2-1 friendly victory over Chad in Morocco.
“Playing for Harambee Stars is a responsibility I never take lightly. We have quality in this squad and must approach these matches with courage and belief,” he said.
Kenya face South Africa at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg on Friday before hosting Bafana Bafana at Nyayo National Stadium on Tuesday, November 17. Both matches are scheduled for 7 pm EAT.
The double-header offers Onyango an opportunity to carry his impressive club form onto the international stage as McCarthy seeks positive results against the Group D leaders.
“South Africa are a strong opponent, but we must concentrate on our own game. We want positive results and must be ready to fight for every ball,” he said.
