The new Gor Mahia right back is going from strength to strength, and his impressive debut for Harambee Stars against Russia is sure to make him a bonafide star in the future.
Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat is running out of superlatives to describe Rooney Onyango’s performance after his impressive display on his debut for Harambee Stars against Russia on Monday night.
Although a right back by trade, Onyango played both as a right winger and left winger on the night, and never looked out of place with his vertical play, composure and aggression at attacking spaces at pace whenever the opportunity arose.
Without the ball, he tracked his opponent very well, and obeyed his coach’s instructions to the letter.
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Speaking after the match, the Turkish tactician was grateful that Onyango “won” his trust ahead of the opening two World Cup qualifying matches against Gabon and Seychelles.
“They worked well and like I said always, if someone is working well and really deserves to play, then he will play,” Firat said.
Firat has praised the K’ogalo right back for being a player that wants to “concentrate” on his football, which has earned him the plaudits he is getting.
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“This is what happened with Rooney. He is not somebody who is pushed by media or other people. No. He is just a footballer who is concentrating on football.
“He is a player with good potential, so I am happy that we won one player more.”
Since his days playing for Wazito, Onyango has always been a player that has stood out bombing up and down the pitch from the right flank.
His performance will offer more solutions on the right side of defense for Firat, with Denmark-based Daniel Anyembe having impressed against Qatar and South Sudan, while midfielder Amos Nondi has also effortlessly played on the position.
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