Bryton Onyona: Gor Mahia Youngster Reacts to Maiden Harambee Stars Call-Up - ‘I Did Not Sleep’
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Gor Mahia youngster Bryton Onyona has spoken of his surprise at being included in the Harambee Stars squad by coach Benni McCarthy.
Onyona was among three players handed late call-ups by McCarthy for friendly matches against Equatorial Guinea and Senegal this month alongside his Gor Mahia team-mate Shariff Musa and Kevin Otiende of Nairobi United.
The 20-year-old admits he was surprised by the call-up, reliving the moments when he learned of his national team inclusion, and how he reacted after that.
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“I did not expect it to happen this soon,” the left-back, who was signed by Gor Mahia Youth last year, told Mozzart Sport.
“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,” Onyona added of the moments leading to his call-up.
What Does Onyona Bring to Harambee Stars?
“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.”
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Onyona joined Gor Mahia Youth after a starring role in the Chapa Dimba na Safaricom last year, when he was named the Kisumu County MVP, before getting selected to the All-Stars Team that toured Spain in December 2024.
The Oriwo High School alumnus was promoted to the Gor Mahia senior team in February this year and has not looked back with impressive performances this season which have caught the eye of national team selectors.
Onyona, who can play at left-back, right-back and even in midfield, will be hoping to impress McCarthy and force his way into the Harambee Stars’ coach’s plans for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
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