In a night of high drama at Hampden Park, Harambee Stars striker Jonah Ayunga etched his name into Scottish folklore, dismantling giants Celtic to deliver St Mirren’s first trophy in over a decade.

For Kenyan football fans watching from Nairobi to Eldoret, Ayunga’s heroics offer more than just a scoreline; they represent a rare and resounding moment of global triumph for a national team player on one of Europe’s most competitive stages.

A Historic Upset in Glasgow

The match began with a blistering pace that caught the heavy favorites off guard. St Mirren wasted no time asserting their intent, with Marcus Fraser finding the back of the net just two minutes into the contest. Fraser’s header sent the underdog supporters into a frenzy, signaling that the Buddies were not simply there to make up the numbers.

However, Celtic, known for their resilience, responded with characteristic precision. Japanese international Reo Hatate leveled matters in the 23rd minute, executing a clinical volley from a Kieran Tierney cross that left the St Mirren defense scrambling. The teams went into the break deadlocked, setting the stage for a tense second half.

The Ayunga Masterclass

It was in the second period that Ayunga truly rose to the occasion, turning the game on its head with a display of predatory instinct. In the 64th minute, the towering forward capitalized on an assist from Alex Gogic, restoring St Mirren’s lead with a composed finish that silenced the Celtic faithful.

Just 12 minutes later, Ayunga struck again to put the result beyond doubt. Orchestrating a swift counter-attack, he connected with a pass from Declan John, tapping the ball home to secure a 3-1 victory. The brace underscored his growing importance to the squad since his arrival from Morecambe in July 2022.

Ending the Wait

The victory marks a significant milestone for the Paisley-based club. It is St Mirren’s first major trophy in 12 years, ending a drought that stretched back to their 2013 triumph over Hearts. For Ayunga, the performance is a career-defining moment:

• Impact: Two goals in a cup final against the league leaders.
• Record: He has now amassed 71 appearances for the club.
• Tally: The striker has brought his total goal count to 11, with these two arguably being the most vital of his tenure.

As the celebrations continue in Scotland, the ripples of this victory will undoubtedly be felt within the Harambee Stars camp, providing a timely confidence boost for the national team's attacking options.