Zak Vyner: Bristol City Coach Explains Why Benni McCarthy Has to Consider Harambee Stars Defender

Bristol City coach Gerhard Struber has revealed what makes defender Zak Vyner a unique player which could further boost Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy going forward.

Zak Vyner is among foreign-born players who are knocking on the door for Harambee Stars and coach Benni McCarthy has been given reasons why he should consider the defender.

Vyner, who plays for Bristol City in the English Championship, became the club’s record appearance maker as they came from behind to beat Southampton 3-1 on Tuesday and his coach is thrilled to have him in the squad.

The 28-year-old centre-back made his 219th appearance for Bristol City, moving ahead of Marvin Elliot, in the match and he had an outstanding performance as he played 90 minutes in the victory at Ashton Gate.

PAY ATTENTION: Stay updated with the Latest Sports News in Kenya from Pulse Sports

It was just another reminder of what Harambee Stars are missing and Bristol coach Gerhard Struber is in awe of the Kenyan prospect, who he has described as “outstanding” and a really “nice guy” in the dressing room.

What Qualities Make Zak Vyner Tick?

"From the first second when I took over the team, and I see Zak Vyner, he was, for me, an outstanding player profile-wise," Struber told Bristol Live about the defender. "He has pace, he has physical power, he has technical power, and he is tactically smart, so he has everything in the end to work with a player and develop the player.”

With Harambee Stars struggling in defensive midfield, Struber says this is a position that Vyner can also excel in apart from his prowess in central defence.

"Now, we can see he’s not only a centre-back; he can do it also on the six on a really good level, and he is, with a consistency, on the way. Every game, he is reliable, so [he's] a really good player, a very interesting profile, and a really good boy,” he added.

Defender’s Character Won Over Bristol Boss

"I like him so much. How we work together, how he is in the dressing room, and how he acts after top performances. He’s a humble guy, and it's also, for me, very nice that I am a coach next to a player and I can also guide him the one or other year together, and I like that, to work on players with this level, especially with his attitude.”

He went on: "This is not only my opinion; I would say every single player in the dressing room likes to be together with him, and also my coaching team. So Zaky is a really good, a really good player and a really good guy."

Vyner received his first Harambee Stars call-up in May 2024 but could not make his debut over passport issues and McCarthy recently confirmed that he is keen to have him in the squad after having a talk with the player and his club.

Given what the Bristol City coach has described, it looks like Kenya could gain much more from the defender, especially at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which they will co-host with Uganda and Tanzania.