Stars Abroad: Vyner returns in “big” Bristol win as Odada clocks more minutes in Romania
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Reading Time: 5min | Sun. 21.12.25. | 10:34
More than four Kenyans were in action on Saturday across the world
Harambee Stars prospect defender Zak Vyner returned to action on Saturday, 20 November, playing a key role as Bristol City ended their winless run in the EFL Championship with a 2-0 victory over second-placed Middlesbrough.
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Vyner’s head coach Gerhard Struber described the result against the in-form Boro as a “big result at an important time” for his play-off-chasing side.
Emil Riis fired the hosts ahead with a fine strike from outside the box in the 17th minute before substitute Rob Atkinson sealed the win with a 62nd-minute header from a Scott Twine corner, bringing Kim Hellberg’s four-match winning start as Middlesbrough boss to an end.
Bristol showed resilience and organization throughout, defending their lead with tenacity against impressive opposition in a pulsating Championship contest.
The victory lifted City to within two points of the top six, with Struber visibly delighted by his side’s display.
“We played a really good team today and had to change shape several times during the game to deal with them,” Struber said.
“Not only did the players manage that, but they also defended our box outstandingly well, blocking lots of shots. The energy and spirit in our group shone through again.”
Vyner was making his return to the starting XI after picking up an injury in a midweek clash against Leicester, which forced him to miss the narrow 1-0 defeat to Coventry City.
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Against Middlesbrough, the Kenyan international completed the full 90 minutes as City kept a clean sheet for the first time in three matches.
The defender produced an assured performance, registering ten defensive actions.
He won both tackles he contested, made six clearances, blocked two goal-bound shots, and completed three recoveries to keep Boro at bay.
Vyner was unlucky to be credited with an error that nearly led to a goal, but his center-back partners recovered well to avert danger.
The match marked Vyner’s 21st Championship appearance of the season, taking his total minutes to 1,845, an average of 88 minutes per game, while helping Bristol City register their eighth clean sheet.
City now sits ninth on the table with 35 points from 22 matches, just two points off sixth place.
Richard Odada in Romania
Harambee Stars midfielder Richard Odada featured for the fourth time for UTA Arad as they claimed a 2-0 win over Dinamo București in the Romanian SuperLiga on Saturday evening.
After a delayed debut following his arrival at the club, Odada completed the full 90 minutes, taking his total playing time to 252 minutes, an average of 63 minutes per appearance.
Goals from Valentin Costache and Alin Roman secured the three points, lifting UTA Arad to seventh on the table with 32 points, just one shy of the championship round places.
Odada made his presence felt in midfield, completing 23 accurate passes from 30 attempts. He was more influential in the opposition half, where he completed 11 of 16 passes, while also attempting five long balls, three of which found their target.
Defensively, the Kenyan registered six defensive actions, won two tackles from five attempts, and made one interception and seven recoveries. He also won five of nine ground duels and three of five aerial duels, committing one foul in the process.
Ayunga features in Scotland
Harambee Stars forward Jonah Ayunga was in action as St. Mirren ensured there was no hangover from their historic Premier Sports Cup triumph over Celtic, edging Livingston 1-0 at the SMISA Stadium.
Saints supporters were still in a celebratory mood in Paisley and were treated to a dominant performance, with last weekend’s cup hero Ayunga unlucky not to get on the scoresheet despite several first-half chances.
St Mirren 1 Livingston 0: Mika Mandron's strike earns third straight win
— David Irvine (@divirvine) December 20, 2025
A seventh goal ruled out by VAR in the last 11 games couldn't deny St Mirren.
No signs of a cup triumph hangover as Saints are now unbeaten in their last four. https://t.co/gtiZjPjvy5 pic.twitter.com/c6E1o6gaQ4
The striker had a goal ruled out by VAR before Mikael Mandron side-footed home Declan John’s cross to seal a third consecutive league win for St. Mirren.
Livingston offered little in response and remains at the bottom of the William Hill Premiership.
Ayunga continued to threaten throughout and was unfortunate again three minutes into the second half, heading into the side netting from close range after being picked out by Marcus Fraser.
His frustration deepened in the 52nd minute when a superb near-post finish was chalked off following a VAR review, with a foul adjudged in the build-up.
Despite his luck in front of goal, Ayunga completed the match with five shots, two on target, one blocked, three big chances missed, and one offside.
He also made one key pass, recorded a passing accuracy of 72 percent, completed two recoveries, won two of five ground duels, and won all three aerial duels he contested.
Clarke features in League Two
Kenyan defender Clarke Oduor played the final ten minutes as Bromley secured a 2-0 win over Grimsby Town at the Copperjax Community Stadium in Saturday’s early kick-off.
The Ravens came into the fixture ten places above Grimsby and maintained their momentum against a Mariners side that arrived without a win in six league matches.
Grimsby’s recent struggles continued, following a draw away to Shrewsbury Town and a midweek home defeat to promotion-chasing Notts County.
The victory lifted Bromley into the top three of Sky Bet League Two. They next travel to face Bristol Rovers in a Boxing Day away fixture.
