McCarthy convinces Everton and Bristol City players to represent Harambee Stars
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Reading Time: 3min | Tue. 02.09.25. | 08:04
The 22-year-old was born to a Kenyan father and English mother, and is eligible for either Kenya or England
It could well be a matter of time before we see Everton midfielder Tyler Onyango in a Harambee Stars shirt, as per head coach Benni McCarthy.
Responding to a question surrounding the inclusion of foreign-based players with Kenyan roots to his squad, McCarthy name-checked the 22-year-old currently on loan at League One side Stockport County, saying he had already reached out to him.
The former Bafana Bafana forward hopes that he will turn up for Kenya’s pair of 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against The Gambia and Seychelles on Friday, 5 and Tuesday, 9 September, respectively.
“Tyler was a player that we reached out to, and also reached out to Everton to get us some information - if the player will be willing to come and play for Kenya,” McCarthy said on day one of Harambee Stars’ training at Utalii Grounds on Monday, 1 September.
“Unfortunately, I wasn't able to speak to the player personally, but the team manager spoke to his parents, and they showed the desire for him to play for Kenya,” he added.
“But I think the timing was not on our side - to do our business so he can come over and be part and parcel of us - but I definitely know going forward and in future, he is definitely a player that I would love to have in the national team.”
Born to a Kenyan father and English mother, Onyango, who made his English Premier League debut in November 2021, is eligible to play for either Kenya or England, despite having featured ten times for the latter’s U21 side.
Zak Vyner situation
At the same time, McCarthy confirmed that Bristol City defender Zak Vyner will suit up for Harambee Stars in the near future, after asking to be kept out for the upcoming clashes.
“I spoke personally to Zak, and obviously, with the championship and PL just starting, he felt as if it was a little bit too early because of all the accumulation of games already,” McCarthy said, adding that the 28-year-old was in a fight to earn a new contract at his club.
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“He is in his last year of the contract, so the player is also fighting to get a new contract for his club, and you have to respect that,” McCarthy said.
“I have been in that situation, and I try to understand the players and the national point of view. I am always on the side of the players.”
Vyner, born to a Kenyan mother, earned his first call-up to Harambee Stars in May 2024, but was denied his first international appearance after his new passport was not processed in time.
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Though McCarthy did not comment on the issue, he said Vyner was ready to play.
“He definitely wants to come and play for the national team,” McCarthy said.
“In the near future, maybe in the next games, we might see him here. He is excited to come, and that is amazing.”
