Harambee Stars coach defends troubled Gor Mahia star

Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat has come to the defence of Gor Mahia defender Rooney Onyango, stating that the player has not had any discipline issues while with the national team, despite facing challenges at his club.

Onyango, a former Wazito player, is currently suspended by Gor Mahia due to disciplinary reasons. The suspension arose after he refused to play as a winger against Al Ahly in Cairo last month, insisting on playing in his natural right-back position.

This defiance led coach Leonardo Neiva to drop him from the squad which played the African champions and impose a suspension until the issue is resolved with the club's management. Reports suggest this was not the first incident, as a similar situation occurred during the CECAFA Club Championship in Tanzania.

“Rooney missed the game due to a lack of commitment, behaviour, and discipline. We are a team, and teamwork is essential. This is an internal matter that we will resolve,” Neiva had commented following the Cairo incident.

Despite missing Gor Mahia’s last two matches, Onyango remains part of the Harambee Stars squad preparing for the upcoming AFCON 2025 qualifiers. Kenya will face Cameroon in a double-header, with the first leg scheduled for Friday in Cameroon and the return leg to be played in Uganda next Monday.

When asked whether Onyango’s disciplinary issues at the club level were a concern for the national team, Firat dismissed the idea, emphasizing that the player has been fully committed during national duty.

"Rooney has never had any discipline problems here. He is working hard, and this is purely a Gor Mahia issue, not one for the national team," Firat said during a press briefing on Wednesday.

Onyango, who made his national team debut under Firat last year, has since become a regular starter, featuring as a right-winger in all matches. He is expected to start in the crucial qualifier against Cameroon.

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Harambee Stars provisional Squad

Goalkeepers: Ian Otieno (Richards Bay FC), Patrick Matasi (Kenya Police), Byrne Omondi (Bandari)

Defenders: Alphonce Omija (Gor Mahia), Daniel Anyembe (Viborg), Amos Nondi (Ararat), Sylvester Owino (Gor Mahia), Johnstone Omurwa (Abha), Collins Sichenje (Vojvodina), Joseph Okumu (Reims), Geoffrey Ochieng (Gor Mahia), Eric Ouma (Rakow)

Midfielders: David Odoyo (Tusker), Chrispine Erambo (Tusker), Richard Odada (Dundee United), John Ochieng (Zanaco), Timothy Ouma (Elfsborg), Anthony Akumu (Kheybar), Duke Abuya (Yanga), Ronney Onyango (Gor Mahia), Austine Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Boniface Muchiri (Ulinzi Stars)

Forwards: John Avire (El Sekka El Hadid), Michael Olunga (Duhail-Oman), Jonah Ayunga (St. Mirren-Scotland), Adam Wilson (New Saints), Sydney Lokale (AFC Leopards), Alfred Scriven (Bryne FK)

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