- Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has shown interest in bringing Tyler Onyango and Zak Vyner on board for national team duties.
- Onyango, born to a Kenyan father, plays for Everton as a midfielder and is currently on loan at Stockport County.
- Vyner, born to a Kenyan mother, plays for Bristol City as a defender.
Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has explained why Everton midfielder Tyler Onyango and Bristol City defender Zak Vyner did not join the squad for their FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers against Gambia and Seychelles scheduled for 5 and 9 September respectively.
Speaking to the press on Monday during their first training session at the Utalii grounds, McCarthy revealed he was unable to speak directly with the 22-year-old Onyango, who is currently on loan at Stockport County.
However, the national team manager did communicate with Onyango’s parents, who expressed strong interest in their son representing Kenya.
McCarthy hopeful about Onyango’s future with Harambee Stars
Tyler Onyango is a player we contacted. We reached out to Everton to gather information and ascertain whether the player would be willing to play for Kenya.
Unfortunately, I was not able to speak to him personally, but the team manager spoke to his parents, and they showed genuine desire for him to represent Kenya.”
The South African international added that timing may not have been in their favor during their pursuit, but he remains optimistic about involving Onyango in the future.
“But I think time was not on our side to finalize the process and bring him in to become part of the team. However, I definitely believe that going forward, he is a player I would love to have in the national team,” he added.
Why Zak Vyner did not join the national team
Meanwhile, the former Manchester United first-team coach, also disclosed that he personally contacted Bristol City defender Zak Vyner.
However, the player felt it was too early to join the national team, especially with the new season underway and his contract situation unresolved.
“I spoke personally to Zak Vyner. With the Championship and the Premier League just starting, he felt it was a bit premature due to the accumulation of games in a short period.
He did not want to jeopardize his situation, especially since he is in the final year of his contract and the club is working on a new deal for him. I respect that decision, as I have been in a similar position myself,” McCarthy explained.
Why are Zak Vyner and Tyler Onyango eligible to play for Kenya?
Onyango was born in England to a Kenyan father and an English mother, making him eligible to represent either Kenya or England.
Vyner, born in Peckham, London, and raised in Bath, qualifies to play for Kenya through his mother while his father is English.