Stars forward Jonah Ayunga makes return from lengthy injury lay off

Harambee Stars forward Jonah Ayunga made another step towards regaining full match fitness and form on Saturday after clocking 90 minutes in a bounce match at the SMiSA Stadium.

The forward has missed a good number of games for both the club and country following an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury suffered in January during a Scottish Premiership match against Motherwell.

The club announced the return of the striker which is certainly good news for both the Scottish club and Stars who are taking part in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Stars lost their opening game 2-1 to Gabon in a game that exposed the team's lack of cutting edge in the final third.

"Jonah Ayunga is nearing a return to first-team action after completing 90 minutes in a bounce game at the SMiSA Stadium.” said the club.

"The 26-year-old forward has been out with injury since January when he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in a cinch Premiership match against Motherwell," announced St. Mirren who sit third on the Scottish Premier League standings.

The club further noted that Ayunga who was first called to the national team in 2016, has engaged in a set of high-profiled build-up matches clocking 45,60, and 90 minutes in a race to regain full fitness.

"The striker has been back in full training for just over a month and has now completed 45, 60, and 90 minutes across three bounce matches as he looks to regain match fitness."

"It will be a welcome boost for Stephen Robinson’s side, with Jonah impressing in his first half season at Saints last year, scoring seven goals in 24 appearances," added the club statement.

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Ayunga, who last season had seven goals for the club, recently extended his stay in the Scottish league putting pen to paper a two-year deal that will see the Kenyan International stay at the club until 2025.

Meanwhile, his return will give Harambee Stars' coach Engin Firat options in the attacking department with a big pool to choose from.

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