Operation AFCON 2027: Benni McCarthy and Mariga Lead UK Mission to Secure Tyler Onyango

The hunt for elite talent to lead Kenya into the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations has moved to the United Kingdom. In a high-stakes recruitment drive, a delegation led by Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy and FKF Vice President McDonald Mariga recently touched down in England to meet with several dual-nationality stars, with Everton’s Tyler Onyango at the top of their wishlist.
​The Pursuit of Onyango
​Onyango, a towering 6'5" midfielder currently on loan at Stockport County, has long been on Kenya's radar. Born in Luton to a Kenyan father and an English mother, the 23-year-old is seen as a “transformative” addition to the Kenyan midfield.
​The meeting in London served as a formal pitch to the player, who has previously represented England at the U17 level. McCarthy, leveraging his experience as a former Manchester United coach, is reportedly playing a hands-on role in convincing Onyango that his international future lies in Nairobi.
​"Tyler Onyango is a player we contacted," McCarthy confirmed earlier this week. “His versatility and exposure to top-level football make him an exciting addition. We are seeking players who can step in and elevate the standard of the Harambee Stars instantly.”
​A Broader Scouting Mission
​The meeting with Onyango is part of a wider “Diaspora Recruitment” strategy. While in the UK, Mariga and McCarthy have also been monitoring:
​Zak Vyner: The Wrexham AFC (formerly Bristol City) defender who is currently finalizing his Kenyan passport paperwork.
​Linton Maina: The FC Köln winger, whom Mariga identified as a “very good player” capable of making an immediate impact.
​Building for 2027
​For McDonald Mariga—the first Kenyan to win the Champions League—this mission is about bridging the gap between Kenya and regional rivals Uganda and Tanzania. By targeting up to 15 professional footballers of Kenyan descent, the FKF aims to assemble a squad that can realistically challenge for the title when Kenya co-hosts the tournament next year.
​The delegation is expected to return to Nairobi this week to prepare for the FIFA Series in Kigali (March 23–31), where they hope some of these new faces might earn their maiden call-ups.