Harambee Stars Defender Onyango Fires Up Social Media With New Dyed Look

NAIROBI, Kenya- Even before a ball in the 32nd CAF Africa Cup of Nations has been kicked, Harambee Stars defender, Joash Onyango is all the rave after parading an eye-catching facial transformation that set social media alight.

When the official mugshots of head coach Sebastien Migne's squad were published by Football Kenya Federation (FKF) at the back end of last week, Onyango who was a defensive lynchpin for SportPesa Premier League (SPL) champions and record domestic title winners, Gor Mahia FC made a stir online for apparently appearing to be older than his actual age.

But instead of buckling under the harsh comments that followed, Onyango did what he does best, find a way to shine and following his recent posts where he spotted an eye-catching dyed beard, social media went on meltdown as he trended throughout Monday and Tuesday.

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Onyango’s new and unfamiliar look rang back memories of former France striker Djibril Cisse, Cameroon’s Rigobert Song and more recently, Manchester United FC star Paul Pogba who all adopted a blonde-haired look.

“We confirm that these pictures trending are non other than our great central defender Joash Onyango who is on National duty.

“Do not confuse him with any other person when he is at the defense line for our National team - Harambee Stars during AFCON 2019 in Egypt,” the official Gor Mahia FC twitter handle wrote.

Not only Kenyans, but the global football fraternity reacted to the center back’s new facial look, causing a stir ahead of Harambee Stars first appearance at the AFCON finals since 2004.

His former coach at Gor, Dylan Kerr, who he won an SPL title under was not left behind by the online army that had a thing or two to say about the eye-catching new style.

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“Joash is the complete central defender who wears his heart on his sleeve, humble and can play. Good luck in AFCON,” the 52-year old British tactician is quoted stating on his twitter handle.

Onyango got the new look over the weekend after the Sebastian Migne coached side landed back in Paris after a 1-1 draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Saturday.

Sensational winger Ayub Timbe left three defenders in his wake before setting up Michael Olunga who gave Kenya the lead but a late Patrick Matasi blunder allowed Arthur Masuaku to score an equalizer.

“From the season he’s had and the usual no nonsense Joash we are used to, it’s nice to see him pull off a crazy new look.

“We are all confident in his abilities and there is no doubt that this shall instill fear into the opponents,” the revered defender’s namesake Joash Omondi wrote on his Facebook account.

The rock solid defender has already proven his worth for both club and country, the talk of social media being whether his new dyed look will add to his fear factor as he prepares to go up against some of the continents greats.

“You should all just focus on other things like the fact that Riyad Mahrez and Sadio Mane will flee when they see this new look,” Carol Kamanda went on to offer.

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“Even before it starts, we already have a hairstyle contender for #Afcon2019.  Kenyan defender Joash Onyango,” Andrew Kabuura added.

Onyango and his teammates are set to leave France today at 5PM (EAT) after a 17-day training camp and are expected to be in Egypt tomorrow ahead of the tournament kick-off on Friday, June 21.

Despite Kenyan footballers shying away from such flamboyant hairstyles on national duty since his Gor teammate and Kenya’s record scorer Dennis Oliech, Onyango may have unearthed a new trend for Harambee Stars.

“I'm glad Joash Onyango is trending; for whatever reason. I'm sure many of you had never heard of him until today,” local football pundit and media personality Carol Radull tweeted.