Kenya U-23 midfielder Jack Ong'aya has suffered a major injury setback after sustaining a high-grade ACL tear during the Emerging Stars' 4-1 victory over Tanzania in the first leg of their 2026 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) U-23 qualifier at the Nyayo National Stadium.Download our Mozzart Sport App for more newsThe Cádiz B midfielder confirmed to Mozzart Sport that examinations conducted after the match revealed a full ACL tear to his left knee, ruling him out of the return leg and potentially keeping him sidelined for close to a year.Ong'aya was introduced in the 55th minute for Henry Omollo as Kenya looked to maintain their dominance after taking a 2-0 lead into the break. ##NAJAVA_MECA_997646##However, his appearance lasted only 16 minutes before the former KCB midfielder was forced off with the injury, with Syphas Otieno taking his place.“Yeah, I was examined the other night and the results show I suffered a high-grade ACL tear,” Ong'aya told Mozzart Sport.Kenya U23 captain Wangaya rallies teammates for decisive Dar battleThe midfielder is now set to undergo surgery after receiving advice from his club doctors in Spain, with the procedure aimed at correcting the damage and supporting his recovery.“My doctors from my club have advised for surgery to make corrections on the knee and enable complete healing,” he added.The injury comes at an unfortunate time for Ong'aya, who had been involved in Kenya's U-23 international assignment as he sought to build momentum in his career after making his move to Cádiz B.Former FIFA referee in as officials for promotion/relegation playoff first leg are revealedThe former Sofapaka and Kakamega High School midfielder admitted that the setback has left him frustrated and disappointed, particularly given the circumstances surrounding his injury.“I am very frustrated and disappointed with how things went down for me, not the introduction my fans and I were expecting. I disappointed my fans and myself too.I know it’s beyond my control, but from that day till now I am still very emotional. No player can be happy with such a situation as mine. Again, I will have to be out for almost a year now. You can relate and imagine how broken I am right now,” he said.Ong'aya will now miss Kenya's return leg against Tanzania on 6 October at Uhuru Stadium, with the Emerging Stars carrying a 4-1 advantage from the first meeting in Nairobi.Experienced Migori Youth winger warns FKFPL sides against underestimating newcomersA place in the next qualifying round awaits the aggregate winner, with Ivory Coast lined up as Kenya's potential opponent in November.
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