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Stars Abroad: Kenyan internationals secure valuable points in Saturday action
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Reading Time: 4min | Sun. 18.01.26. | 09:31
Kenyan internationals were in action across Europe on Saturday, delivering solid performances as their clubs collected crucial points in the race for silverware, promotion, and survival this season
Kenyan internationals were in action across Europe on Saturday, delivering solid performances as their clubs collected crucial points in the race for silverware, promotion, and survival this season.
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Vyner keeps a clean sheet in England
Harambee Stars prospect defender Zak Vyner played the full 90 minutes as Oxford United began life under new head coach Matt Bloomfield with a goalless draw against Bristol City at the Kassam Stadium.
The former Luton Town boss has inherited a difficult situation, with Oxford battling relegation from the Championship.
The point proved valuable, as did the club’s first clean sheet in 17 matches, although it extended their winless run to eight games.
The match produced few clear chances. Gerhard Struber’s Bristol City struggled to create openings, while Oxford nearly snatched victory in stoppage time when Stanley Mills was put through by Jack Currie, only for his shot to be blocked by Radek Vitek.
The Manchester United loanee, returning from injury, was called into action just twice, both times denying Mills.
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Bristol City managed only one shot on target, a long-range effort from Sam Morsy that Jamie Cumming dealt with comfortably.
Vyner operated in midfield in a system featuring three central defenders.
He made one interception, two clearances, and three recoveries. He contested six ground duels, winning one, and went up for nine aerial duels, winning four.
From midfield, the defender struggled going forward. He attempted five crosses, all unsuccessful, completed 11 of his 25 passes, and recorded a 50 percent success rate in the opposition box. His only long-ball attempt also failed to find its target.
Bristol City now travel to high-flying Ipswich Town on Tuesday as they look to close the three-point gap to the promotion play-off places, while Oxford United host Queens Park Rangers on the same evening.
Odada completes a full match in Romanian top-flight win
Kenyan international Richard Odada returned to action for UTA Arad after the break and played the full 90 minutes as his side came from behind to beat Unirea Slobozia 3-1 in the Romanian top flight.
UTA tested goalkeeper Robert Popa early on through a long-range strike from Alin Roman before taking the lead in the 24th minute when Marius Coman lobbed the keeper.
Unirea Slobozia equalized in the 35th minute through Alexandru Albu, but Arad regained the lead in the 73rd minute when Alomerovic struck. David Barbu sealed the win two minutes from time to complete the comeback.
Odada, who picked up a yellow card in the 65th minute, delivered a composed performance in midfield.
He completed 52 of 59 passes for an 88 percent accuracy rate, recording 79 percent accuracy in the opposition half and 94 percent in his own half.
The former Dundee United midfielder also completed two of three long-ball attempts. Defensively, he won all four tackles he attempted, made one clearance, recorded 11 recoveries, won six of 14 ground duels, and contested one aerial duel.
The victory lifted UTA Arad to sixth place on 35 points, the final playoff spot, seven points behind leaders Rapid București. Unirea Slobozia remains 12th with 21 points.
Harper helps Walsall revive promotion push
Harambee Stars defender Vincent Harper featured as Walsall reignited their automatic promotion hopes with a convincing victory over Tranmere Rovers.
Goals from Priestley Farquharson, Daniel Kanu, and Jamille Matt ended Walsall’s four-game losing streak, while Tranmere slipped to a third straight home defeat. Joe Ironside scored a late consolation for the hosts.
Today felt 𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/60e7HzNOw8
— Walsall FC (@WFCOfficial) January 17, 2026
Walsall nearly took the lead inside two minutes when Matt’s header from Farquharson’s long throw forced a save from Jack Barrett.
Tranmere’s best first-half chance fell to Ethan Bristow, who fired wide from a tight angle.
Farquharson opened the scoring in the 37th minute, heading home Evan Weir’s corner, before Kanu doubled the lead just before halftime after capitalizing on a defensive error. Matt sealed the points in the 66th minute with a header from Aden Flint’s cross.
Harper started ahead of a back three as Walsall sought to end their poor run. He made one key pass, completed 10 of 20 passes, and recorded a 50 percent success rate in both halves. He attempted five long balls, completing one.
Defensively, Harper impressed, winning all three tackles he attempted, making two clearances and two recoveries. He also won four of six ground duels and two of four aerial duels.
