Jonah Ayunga Sends Fresh Warning to Michael Olunga After Leading St. Mirren to European Football

Jonah Ayunga (C) celebrates with teammates during St. Mirren's 3-2 win over Ross County. Image || Imago

Jonah Ayunga Sends Fresh Warning to Michael Olunga After Leading St. Mirren to European Football

Mark Kinyanjui 10:32 - 13.04.2025

Jonah Ayunga made two important goal contributions to ensure St. Mirren sailed to a 3-2 win to secure a top six finish in Scotland.

Jonah Ayunga is making it increasingly difficult for Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy to overlook him, delivering yet another match-winning display as St Mirren sealed a dramatic 3-2 victory over Ross County to clinch a third-straight top-six finish in the Scottish Premiership.

Ayunga, who was on international duty with Kenya last March, where he featured as a substitute against The Gambia and Gabon, was trusted with a starting role ahead of Michael Mandron for the third game in a row and he did not disappoint. 

The powerful forward played a key role in the win, notching an assist and scoring a crucial goal to help his side secure a spot in next season’s UEFA Europa Conference League qualifying rounds.

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The 27-year-old turned provider in the 37th minute, laying the ball off for Caolan Boyd-Munce, who unleashed a thunderbolt from 35 yards to cancel out Ronan Hale’s early opener for the visitors.

 Just four minutes after the restart, Ayunga showed his striker’s instinct — pouncing on a through ball from Boyd-Munce and calmly finishing at the second attempt after his initial effort was blocked.

Over the course of 89 hard-working minutes, Ayunga showcased the kind of all-round performance that will have McCarthy paying close attention. He won four of his 12 ground duels, two of nine aerial duels, successfully dribbled past his man twice, and even chipped in defensively with two tackles — underlining his commitment on both ends of the pitch.

His strong form adds a layer of intrigue to Kenya’s striking options, with fans having long expressed the need to provide captain Michael Olunga with more competition upfront.

 Ayunga's recent resurgence — especially since returning from the March international break — is a clear message that he’s ready for more responsibility on the national stage.

Ayunga’s heroics help St Mirren secure European football

Harambee Stars' Jonah Ayunga sends warning to Michael Olunga with spectacular St. Mirren display
Jonah Ayunga was impressive for St Mirren last Saturday. Photo || Imago Jonah Ayunga now has four goal contributions in his last three SPL games for St Mirren.

After falling behind to Hale’s scrappy 22nd-minute strike, the Buddies responded in style through Boyd-Munce and Ayunga. 

However, Jordan White’s looping header midway through the second half brought Ross County level again, briefly threatening to derail the hosts’ European hopes.

Substitutes Roland Idowu and Connor McMenamin were introduced in the final 10 minutes by manager Stephen Robinson, and it was Idowu who stole the show late on. 

After missing a golden opportunity moments after coming on, he redeemed himself by drilling home the winner from outside the box in the 86th minute.

The victory sparked jubilant scenes, especially after confirmation that Hearts and Motherwell had played out a goalless draw. It meant St Mirren had done enough to punch their ticket to Europe and round off a successful afternoon in dramatic fashion.

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