Gor Mahia midfielder left stunned after bagging Mashujaa Day award
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Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 21.10.25. | 15:39
His brilliance was duly acknowledged as he scooped the Man of the Match award twice at the 2024 CHAN tournament
Harambee Stars midfielder Alpha Onyango has expressed heartfelt gratitude after being honoured by President William Ruto as a national hero during the 62nd Mashujaa Day celebrations held at the newly inaugurated Ithookwe Stadium in Kitui County.
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Taking to his official Facebook page a day after the ceremony, the Gor Mahia anchorman described the recognition as both humbling and unexpected, admitting it was a moment he had never envisioned achieving at such a young age.
"Yesterday, during Mashujaa Day, I was deeply humbled to be named among the national heroes of our country.
"As a young boy growing up, I always dreamt of playing in iconic stadiums like the San Siro and the Bernabéu, and wearing the jerseys of clubs I admired like Real Madrid. But not once did I ever imagine being called a national hero,” Onyango wrote.
“To say ‘dreams do come true’ would be a lie because this wasn’t even in my wildest dreams. This just proves that everything is possible when you stay true to your path and give your all,” he added.
Alpha’s honour came as recognition for his outstanding performances during the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), which Kenya co-hosted alongside Uganda and Tanzania.
The Benni McCarthy-led Harambee Stars impressed during the August-long tournament, advancing to the knockout stages, marking one of the country’s best outings in a continental tourney.
The Kakamega High School alumnus was a pivotal figure in midfield, with his composure and tactical discipline standing out throughout the campaign that saw him receive a wide berth of recognition.
His brilliance was duly acknowledged as he scooped the Man of the Match award twice, first in Kenya’s 1-0 opening victory against the Democratic Republic of Congo, and again in the quarter-final clash against Mozambique, where Harambee Stars were narrowly eliminated 4-3 on post-match penalties.
Alongside Alpha, several other key members of the national team were also feted by the Head of State, including captain of the tournament Aboud Omar, goalkeeper Byrne Omondi, and forward Ryan Ogam Rabok.
Nicodemus Kimanthi Musau, who served as Team Manager and Data Analyst, was also recognised for his invaluable contribution to the squad’s success.
