Kenyan footballers plying their trade abroad experienced mixed fortunes over the weekend, with Michael Olunga suffering an injury setback in Qatar, while Stanley Wilson and Jonah Ayunga enjoyed impressive outings in Sweden and Scotland respectively.
Michael Olunga endured a frustrating night in the Qatari Stars League after limping off in the 26th minute during Al Arabi’s 3-2 defeat to Al Shamal. The striker, who has been a vital figure for both club and country, raised concerns after being forced off early, with crucial fixtures for Harambee Stars looming. Al Shamal took the lead in the first half through Mohammed Manai before Al Arabi equalised through Yazan Al-Naimat. However, Baghdad Bounedjah’s penalty and another strike from Manai put Al Shamal firmly in control. Jordan Veretout reduced the deficit for Al Arabi, but the Doha side fell short of salvaging a point.
In Sweden, 19-year-old Stanley Wilson Omondi made headlines by scoring his first goal for Enköpings SK since joining on loan from AIK. Wilson struck just before halftime to double his team’s advantage in a thrilling 3-2 win over Team TG in the Ettan Norra. Linus Zetterström opened the scoring while Daniel Norrby added a third before the interval. Despite a spirited second-half fightback from Team TG through Victor Kamf and Tyson Afshari, Enköpings held on to claim all three points. The result lifted them to 12th place, easing relegation fears and underlining Wilson’s growing influence in Swedish football.
In Scotland, Jonah Ayunga played a key role in St Mirren’s first Premiership win of the season as they secured a 2-1 victory at Falkirk. The Kenyan forward was lively in attack, completing seven of eight passes and creating one big chance before being withdrawn in the 70th minute. St Mirren sealed the win through goals from Declan John and Mikael Mandron, ending a run of frustrating draws and boosting team morale.
Elsewhere, Daniel Anyembe featured at centre-back for Viborg in Denmark but ended on the losing side after a 2-1 defeat to AGF, while William Lenkupae came off the bench to help VPS secure a 2-1 victory over KTP in the Finnish Veikkausliiga relegation round.
Overall, it was a weekend of mixed emotions for Harambee Stars abroad, with Olunga’s injury a cause for concern but Wilson and Ayunga providing encouraging signs of progress.
