Gor Mahia's Alpha Onyango Out to Impress Benni McCarthy and Secure CHAN Spot After Harambee Stars Recall

Gor Mahia players celebrate a goal in a previous match. (Credit: Gor Mahia)

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Gor Mahia players celebrate a goal in a previous match. (Credit: Gor Mahia)

Gor Mahia's Alpha Onyango Out to Impress Benni McCarthy and Secure CHAN Spot After Harambee Stars Recall

Mark Kinyanjui 17:36 - 04.06.2025

Alpha Onyango is on a mission to impress at the upcoming Chad friendlies in order to earn a spot in the Harambee Stars set up for the upcoming 2024 CHAN.

Gor Mahia midfielder Alpha Onyango is hoping to impress Benni McCarthy enough during Harambee Stars’ upcoming two friendly games against Chad in Morocco in order to work his way into the final squad for the upcoming African Nations Championships (CHAN) which Kenya will co-host on home soil.

Onyango, who has enjoyed a good run of form for Gor Mahia from the heart of midfield this season, had not been part of the national team for well over a year, with his last call up being in 2023 under former coach Engin Firat

Despite receiving several call ups, Onyango has yet to make an appearance for the national team.

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The last time he was involved was as an unused substitute in an international friendly against Russia in October 2023, where Kenya drew 2-2.

Since then, he has not been part of any squads. Speaking to the media from the side’s training base at Kasarani Stadium before the side flew out to Morocco on Monday night, Onyango expressed delight at having been given recognition by McCarthy after a night in the cold.

“I had not received a call up for well over a year, so when the coach called me up, I was super grateful,” Onyango said.

The midfielder has been particularly inspired by the intensity and quality of McCarthy’s sessions, describing them as transformative.

“Training has been amazing. I’ve felt good so far, and I hope to learn more for the remainder of camp.”

With the CHAN tournament on the horizon, Onyango understands that the friendlies are more than just warm-up games—they are auditions.

“I want to give my best over the next two games so it can prepare us as a team for the upcoming tournament,” he said. 

“We are prepared to face the challenge at hand and we will work hard to make sure we achieve our objectives.”

Having shown consistent form in an otherwise mixed season for Gor Mahia, Onyango will be keen to transfer that momentum to the national stage.

 If he can impress McCarthy in Morocco, the CHAN tournament on home soil could mark the beginning of a long-awaited international breakthrough.

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