Local-based Harambee Stars duo set to start against Seychelles after significant impact against Gambia

Harambee Stars midfielders Alpha Onyango and Manzur Okwaro have been praised for the positive impact they brought into Kenya’s FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifier against The Gambia, even as the team’s assistant coach Vasili Manousakis hinted at them starting in the next game against Seychelles on Tuesday, 9 September.

Onyango and Okwaro, who were key players for Harambee Stars during last month’s African Nations Championship (CHAN), were on Friday, 5 September introduced to The Gambia tie at halftime.

They ended playing a big role in stemming The Scorpions attack, while carefully orchestrating play as the hosts dictated the final 45 minutes.

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The duo’s performance, albeit partially aided by Johnathan McKinstry’s decision to ask his side to sit back, stood out to many, who had seen Harambee Stars crumble and soak in three goals in 26 first half minutes.

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With Okwaro and Onyango involved, Benni McCarthy’s side conceded no further goals, and got one of their numerous chances to hit the back of the net through another second half substitute Ryan Ogam.

Speaking of the duo’s impact on Sunday, Harambee Stars defender Collins Sichenje said: “When they came in, they showed bravery and quality, and we were able to organize as a team.

As you could see, everyone in the second half was comfortable, and the position play was good. They brought in some good energy when we were fighting to get the goals back, but we sadly lost, which is part of football and learning.”

The two midfielders, who are all locally-based, were brought on as like-for-like replacements for on-loan Lech Poznan player Timothy Ouma and the unattached free-agent Richard Odada, who all committed mistakes leading to two Gambia goals.

On whether Kenya’s technical bench was thinking of making changes ahead of the Seychelles game, Manousakis seemed to refer to the halftime substitution, saying: “Obviously I wont throw out the names right now, but there will be some changes. We saw the impact of the changes that we made during Gambia and the momentum it gave us.

We changed the shape, and changed the system three to four times during that match. I think we can expect a couple of changes.”

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