Kenyan international Jonah Ayunga views St Mirren’s stunning victory in the Scottish League Cup as the highest point of his 12-year professional journey, after his two goals secured a historic victory over Celtic at Hampden Park.
On Sunday, the Harambee Stars striker was the hero as St Mirren beat the odds and went on to take the Glasgow giants for their first significant trophy in 12 years, heaping more misery on a Celtic team still fighting to find consistency even after Wilfried Nancy, head coach, accepted an appointment to the team.
St Mirren couldn’t have started on a better note. And just 96 seconds into the final, Marcus Fraser rose to his peak to head home from a Keanu Baccus corner, sending the Paisley fans into early celebrations. Halfway through the first half, Celtic struck back with a volley from a Kieran Tierney delivery to Reo Hatate, which momentarily restored parity.
The second half, though, was Ayunga’s. On 64 minutes, the Kenyan forward re-established the lead for St Mirren, calmly finishing off from Alex Gogic’s cross in order to shift the momentum decisively into his side’s favour.
As Celtic advanced in search of an equaliser, spaces opened up and Ayunga again made them pay, sliding home from a Declan John pass to finish his brace and almost clinch the cup. It was a commanding display from St Mirren, looking sharper and more deliberate and even more in control throughout the match while Celtic clung to place themselves on the biggest domestic stage they could manage.
After the final whistle, Ayunga tried to hide his feelings as he contemplated an inevitable and welcome taste of silverware. “Amazing,” he told the BBC. “We met the fans at a calendar signing this week and this was all they were telling us. To be able to play in this, to win it and score, I couldn’t imagine it any better. Not a bad day’s work, eh?” The striker, who came to St Mirren in 2022, added the victory had added to his significance as he navigated his career in the game. “This is once in a lifetime. I’ve been playing since I was 17, I’m nearly 30, and this was the first time I’ve had a chance to win something. The manager deserves it. You see what he’s accomplished year in and year out at St Mirren. This is the icing on the cake.” Ayunga’s brace is part of a steady streak of strong form, bringing him to the three-goal mark for his last three appearances. It was a night to remember at Hampden Park for St Mirren. For Kenyan football fans, that was our moment to be proud, as well, as one of our own delivered on the most magnificent stage.
