Harambee Stars Abroad: Zak Vyner Enjoys Biggest Win of 2026, Not A Happy New Year for Vincent Harper

Harambee Stars defenders Zak Vyner and Vincent Harper had contrasting fortunes on New Year’s Day as the former celebrated a big win while the latter suffered defeat.

Harambee Stars defender Zak Vyner played 90 minutes as Bristol City recorded one of their biggest wins in the English Championship on Thursday.

Bristol City had a perfect start to 2026 when they thumped Portsmouth 5-0 at Ashton Gate on a day when everything went right.

Vyner started in the middle of a three-man defence for Bristol City and was one of the outstanding performers as his side went ahead after 11 minutes through a stunning long-range strike from Adam Randell before Anis Mehmeti made it 2-0 two minutes later with a precise low shot.

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After the break, Scott Twine’s 50th minute first-time finish from a Neto Borges cross made it 3-0 before substitute Sinclair Armstrong added more pain on Pompey with a fourth goal for Bristol City nine minutes later and he would complete the rout with his second of the game with a great finish in stoppage time.

It was the biggest win of 2026 across all English divisions and left Bristol City in eighth position in the Championship with 39 points, one behind Preston, who occupy the final playoff position in sixth place.

Bristol Coach Raves At ‘Perfect’ Performance

The ‘perfect’ performance delighted Bristol City coach Gerhard Struber who admitted he had been smelling a big win like that while he hopes it will convince the club to further strengthen the squad.

“It was the perfect start to the new year. I believed we had a result like that coming because we have been playing well without always scoring the goals we should have,” he said.

“Today our finishing was knife sharp. We could have had more goals and we never gave Portsmouth the slightest opportunity to get into the game, so I am super happy with the performance.

“Our pressing was synchronised and the energy level of the team was amazing. Now we have to seek the consistency to produce that type of display every week.

“I am hopeful of bringing players in during the transfer window, but it is not all about that. We also have to integrate any newcomers into our squad and ensure they share in the way we want to play.”

Vincent Harper Starts the Year With Defeat

Meanwhile, as Vyner was celebrating the big win, Vincent Harper was dealing with a disappointing result after his club Walsall started the year with a 2-0 loss to Cambridge United in England’s League Two, the country’s fourth tier.

Harper was a late substitute, coming on as an 82nd minute replacement for Sierra Leone forward Daniel Kanu, but that was after Walsall had been trailing 2-0 thanks to a brace Benjamin Knight on the stroke of halftime and eight minutes after the break.

Walsall’s day turned from bad to worse when Aaron Pressley missed a 90th minute penalty as they suffered a second straight loss although they still remain in the title race, sitting third on the log with 43 points, five behind leaders Bromley, and within the automatic promotion positions.