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Harambee Stars call-up Henia Kamau to feature in EPL after Hull City promotion
23rd May, 2026 08:48 PM
Kenyan prospects Samuel Henia Kamau and Elliot Matazo are set to play in the English Premier League after Hull City got promoted to the top tier following a 1-0 win against Middlesbrough in the playoff final on Saturday, May 23, 2026.
Ollie McBurnie’s second-half strike proved crucial for Sergej Jakirovic, who secured their return to the top league after a lengthy absence.
The Scotsman’s tap-in in the 95th minute followed Sol Brynn spilling a low cross from Yu Hirakawa, earning the Tigers the riches of Premier League football.
The goal was a fitting reward for the striker who had come close to an opener when he headed Adilson Malanda’s back and against the crossbar with the keeper seemingly beaten.
Hull maintains playoff final cruise
With the host team taking the lead late on, the win prompted massive elation in the Wembley stands for the side that survived relegation to League One in 2025 on goal difference. A year later, the team is now back in the Premier League and looking to play against the creme de creme of England’s best for the 2026/27 season.
The win saw the team’s impressive run in the playoff campaigns with a third success in three attempts.
It also marks a huge career milestone for the Kenyan prospect, who will be making the step up with the club.
Kamau and Matazo
Despite not featuring in the clash after sustaining a devastating long-term ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury, Matazo will be delighted with how the season has panned out for his teammates.
Matazo tore his right ACL back in February 2025 and spent over 14 months in grueling rehabilitation. He made his long-awaited return to competitive action on April 25, 2026, against Charlton Athletic.
The moment, however, proved bittersweet as he shockingly tore the ACL in his other (left) knee just 11 minutes into the game.
For the young Kenyan forward Henia-Kamau, a step up to the Premier League provides massive career growth for the starlet under the team’s development team.
At 19 years, Hennia earned his maiden call-up in Benni McCarthy’s squad for the upcoming friendlies in July 2026.
The kid prodigy joined the then-championship team from Swansea City in July 2025 and is among the fast-rising stars eager to break into the seniors team after the promotion impetus.
