Ayunga, Ng'ang'a join Harambee Stars camp

Scotland-based Jonah Ayunga trained with the national team, the Harambee Stars, for the first time on Monday ahead of the four-nation tournament in Malawi.

The Stars commenced their training on Saturday afternoon, with primarily local-based players taking part in the Saturday and Sunday sessions. The only foreign-based player who reported on day one was Egypt-based John Avire.

On Monday, Ayunga, who plays for St. Mirren in the Scottish top tier, took part in the morning session. Another foreign-based player spotted in training on Monday is Dennis Ng’ang’a, who plays for Zesco United in the Zambian League.

Kenya is set to play Malawi in the semifinal of the four-nation tournament, with either Zambia or Zimbabwe awaiting them in the final or third-place playoff. The match will be the opener on Saturday, March 23rd, at the Bingu National Stadium.

Ayunga is in line for his debut, a move that will fulfill his long-standing dream of playing for Kenya, his father’s country of birth. He earned a call-up to the Kenya U23 team in 2018 but did not feature.

"My dad moved over to the UK just after I was born. All his side of the family is still over there. My last call-up was about three years ago when I was at Sutton United. Now that I'm at a club where there's an international break every time it comes around, I'm free to go," Ayunga told Renfrewshire Live Sport in an interview two years ago.

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"There's a couple of people involved with Kenya I still speak to and a couple of players as well. It'll be a lot easier now that there's a window for me to be able to go and not miss games. Hopefully, I'll be able to get out there again soon," added Ayunga.

Harambee Stars Full squad

Goalkeepers: Ian Otieno (Zesco-Zambia), Patrick Matasi (Kenya Police), Byrne Odhiambo (Bandari), Bonphas Munyasa (Muranga Seal)

Defenders: Collins Sichenje (AIK-Sweden), Joseph Okumu (Reims-France), Johnstone Omurwa (Estrela-Portugal), Dennis Ng'ang'a (Zanaco Zambia), Daniel Anyembe (Viborg-Denmark), Amos Nondi (Ararat), Abud Omar (Kenya Police), Eric Ouma (Rakow-Poland), Alphonce Omija (Dhofar-Oman), Rooney Onyango (GOR Mahia)

Midfielders: Kaycie Odhiambo (AFC Leopards), Chris Erambo (Tusker), Richard Odada (Aalborg-Denmark), Anthony Akumu (Unattached), Kenneth Muguna (Kenya Police), Eric Johanna (UTA-Romania)

Forwards: John Avire (Sekka), Michael Olunga (Duhail-Oman), Jonah Ayunga (St. Mirren-Scotland), Benson Omalla (Gor Mahia), Shariff Musa (Gor Mahia), Ayub Timbe (Sebail-Azerbaijan), David Sakwa (Bandari)

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