Harambee Stars Defender Onyego Shines in Unorthodox Midfield Role to Boost Bristol City’s Premier League Hopes

Kenya international Zak Onyego Vyner delivered a standout performance in an unorthodox midfield role as Bristol City were held to a 1-1 Championship draw by Ipswich Town at Ashton Gate.

With Jason Knight sidelined through injury, manager Liam Manning pushed Onyego out of his familiar centre-back position into central midfield — a gamble that paid off for much of the contest. 

The defender-turned-midfielder broke up play, recycled possession, and gave the Robins control in a first half they largely dominated.

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However, Onyego, who was first drafted into the Harambee Stars squad in June 2024,  only registered a 59 percent pass accuracy. He made one key pass, one successful dribble and had two shots at goal, one of which was on target. He also made two key tackles.

City struck first in the 18th minute when Anis Mehmeti’s wicked inswinging corner was met by Rob Atkinson, who rose above his marker to power home a header that left Alex Palmer stranded. Ipswich struggled to create chances before the interval, their only efforts coming from long range as Onyego and his teammates kept them firmly in check.

The visitors improved after the restart and found their equaliser in the 52nd minute. Ross McCrorie’s mistimed challenge on Chuba Akpom handed Town a penalty, which Jack Clarke converted with confidence down the middle to beat Radek Vitek. 

Roared on by a large travelling support, Ipswich pressed for a winner, forcing City into some desperate defending as Leif Davis and Jacob Greaves both went close.

City, however, could have stolen it late. Mehmeti blazed over from a promising position while Sinclair Armstrong was denied by Palmer in a one-on-one. Onyego himself nearly capped his impressive midfield outing with a goal, firing a half-volley narrowly over in stoppage time.

In the end, both sides settled for a share of the spoils in a fiercely contested clash that kept Bristol’s promotion ambitions on course and underlined Onyego’s growing influence in multiple positions.

The result means Bristol are fourth in the Championship standings in their quest to seal promotion, having reached the playoffs last season.