Gor Mahia defender Bryton Onyona has emphasized the significance of their 2–0 victory over Kenya Police FC, describing it as a vital morale booster ahead of the Harambee Stars’ upcoming international friendlies.
The youngster, who recently received his maiden call-up to the national team, revealed that the win was more than just about securing three points in the FKF Premier League. For Onyona and his teammates, it was a statement of intent and a much-needed confidence injection as they prepare to represent Kenya against Equatorial Guinea and Senegal later this month.
Gor Mahia earned a solid victory over the defending champions through goals from Felix Oluoch and Shariff Musa. The win, however, carried extra significance, given that seven Gor Mahia players — including Onyona — have been included in the Harambee Stars squad for the upcoming fixtures.
Onyona explained that the team’s motivation was not only to strengthen their position in the league but also to set the right tone for the national team. He noted that the players felt a collective responsibility to deliver a performance that would inspire confidence both for their club and country.
“It was important that if we won this game, it would be a huge boost for those players going to the national team,” Onyona said. “We have an important game for the national team, and we just had to win. We are the majority there, seven of us, and we started the game, so we had to perform.”
Reflecting on the match, Onyona admitted that facing Kenya Police was not an easy task, acknowledging their strength and determination as defending champions. He noted that Gor Mahia managed to take their chances effectively this time, punishing their opponents when it mattered most.
“It was really tough. Police are a big team, but we caught them by surprise. Those chances that we usually create and don’t convert, today was a good day to do so,” he explained.
Onyona also shared his excitement about being called up to the Harambee Stars for the first time, describing the experience as unexpected but rewarding. He credited his recent performances and hard work for the recognition, vowing to maintain his form and continue improving.
With Gor Mahia now leading the FKF Premier League and several of their stars joining the national team, Onyona believes the team’s winning mentality will be crucial as they head into international duty.
