Stellenbosch FC and Harambee Stars defender Brian Onyango endured a night to forget after seeing red on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, during a league tie against Orlando Pirates at the Athlone Stadium in Cape Town.

In his first match after learning of his call-up to the national team for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifier, Onyango’s evening ended prematurely after being sent to the showers in the first half.

The experienced defender was dismissed following a foul on Pirates attacker with the referee adjudging the offence as denying an opponent a clear goal-scoring opportunity, commonly referred as Dogso in footballing terms.

Onyango was sprinting back to recover position after being beaten to the long ball by the striker.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, however, the hosts held out and managed to restrict the away team to a goalless draw.

The former Tusker, Santos and Maritzburg United defender is among the seasoned players named in coach Benni McCarthy’s provisional team for the upcoming international duty.

The South African-based defender joined former La Liga star Ismael Gonzalez among the internationals making a return to the fold.

The pair was part of the Harambee Stars AFCON squad in 2019 and are tipped to bring the needed experience to the team.

He last featured in October 2023 during a friendly against Russia and boasts 39 international caps to his name since making his debut back in 2011.

Kenya angles for FIFA World Cup qualifiers ties against The Gambia and Gabon on 20 and 23 March, respectively.

Ahead of the task, McCarthy who took over the national team at the start of March, has named his maiden team with his competitive debut set to come in inside a week against the Gambia away on Monday, March 17, 2025.

He will follow it up with a home game against Gabon a week later on March 24, 2025.

Kenya is lying fourth in Group F with five points, five less than leaders Ivory Coast, while Gabon is second with nine points and Burundi third with seven points.