Ayunga plans to dedicate his first cap for the Harambee Stars at the upcoming Four Nations tournament in Malawi to his Kenyan father, who moved to England when Ayunga was just a baby. The striker, who began his career at Brighton & Hove Albion’s academy and now plays for St. Mirren in the Scottish Premier League, highlighted the significance of playing for Kenya, especially in honor of his father’s sacrifices.
Having been raised in England and working his way up from the lower leagues after leaving Brighton, Ayunga has made a notable impact in the Scottish top division, scoring twice this season following a recovery from an ACL injury last December. The prospect of representing Kenya is deeply meaningful to him, emphasizing the sacrifices his father made upon moving to England at a young age.
Described by head coach Engin Firat as a physically strong and well-suited forward, Ayunga is eager to challenge for a spot in the national team’s striking force, aiming to provide competition for Michael Olunga, Benson Omala, and John Avire.
Acknowledging the high level of competition within the team, Ayunga is focused on impressing the coach and securing his place in the squad through his performances, particularly at the tournament in Malawi. His goal is to gain Firat’s trust for future call-ups.
Ayunga’s ambition extends to representing Kenya at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a dream he shared in an interview with the Daily Record in December 2022. Despite waiting for a chance to play for the Harambee Stars since his first call-up in August 2018, he remains hopeful and ready to contribute to the team’s success, aspiring to reach the pinnacle of football by participating in the World Cup.
