Ex-Brighton Striker Jonah Ayunga Praises Growth of Kenyan Football Ahead of Harambee Stars’ Double Header Against Cameroon
Jonah Ayunga, the Scotland-based striker who has earned two caps for the Harambee Stars, has shared his thoughts on the remarkable progress of Kenyan football as the national team gears up for a crucial double encounter against Cameroon in their quest to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Currently playing for Scottish Premiership side Saint Mirren, Ayunga has highlighted how the development of Kenyan football has accelerated over the past few years. The former Brighton and Hove Albion forward made a memorable full debut during Kenya’s thrilling 2-1 victory over Namibia in the AFCON qualifiers and is eager to continue making an impact for his national side after being sidelined by injury.
Reflecting on his debut experience, Ayunga expressed his pride in representing Kenya at the international level. “It was a real privilege to make my debut in March,” Ayunga told the Daily Record. “Unfortunately, I missed the next international window due to injury, but I’m hoping to play this time. It was a surreal moment making my debut.”
The striker’s first appearance was even more special with his family present to witness the occasion. “My dad, brother, and uncle were there, so it was great. My family is very proud, and this means a lot to them. My dad was born in Kenya and still has family there. If we can get two positive results in these upcoming games, I think we’ll be in a strong position,” Ayunga added.
As Kenya prepares for the double header against Cameroon, Ayunga emphasized the significant improvements he has noticed in Kenyan football, particularly in talent development and infrastructure. Having been involved with the national team for several years, he has witnessed these advancements firsthand.
“We’re building something here. Since I first joined the team a few years ago, I’ve seen progress in every area, both in terms of player quality and infrastructure,” Ayunga explained. “We haven’t qualified for AFCON often, so if we manage to do it this time, it will be another big step forward for Kenyan football.”
However, Ayunga acknowledged that infrastructure challenges still pose an obstacle to the game’s full potential in Kenya. “Football is growing in Kenya, but the main limitation is the pitches and infrastructure. There are a lot of good players, and everyone is passionate about the game,” he said.
Despite these challenges, Ayunga is optimistic about the future and believes Kenya is producing players ready to compete beyond Africa. He is confident that Kenyan talent could thrive in European leagues, just as he has done in Scotland.
“Everyone’s keen to come over to Scotland. They’re all good players and would perform well here. The challenge is that there are so many talented players in Kenya, but only a few get the opportunity to make the move to Europe,” Ayunga noted.
As the Harambee Stars embark on their qualification campaign, Ayunga’s optimism mirrors the growing belief within the squad. With a blend of talented players and improving infrastructure, the future of Kenyan football looks bright. The national team will aim to carry this momentum forward and secure their place among Africa’s elite in next year’s tournament in Morocco.
