Micah Obiero capped a memorable spell with club and country by returning from international duty with Kenya early to score his first away goal for United at Aldershot Town.
The forward returned from Benni McCarthy’s squad following fixtures against Eritrea and Guinea, making the long journey back to England in time to play his part in Hampshire.
While the results did not go the way Kenya had hoped, Obiero once again relished the opportunity to represent his country and play in front of thousands of supporters.
Having made his Kenya debut earlier this year, Obiero admitted that receiving a call-up still carries a sense of disbelief.
“It was a really enjoyable experience,” he said.
“I think we played well in the games, even though the results weren't what we wanted.
“I really enjoyed the experience playing in front of thousands of my people and carrying the badge on my chest. It was good.”
The latest call-up was another significant milestone for a player whose international career has developed rapidly over the past year.
Obiero made his Kenya debut earlier this year and has since found himself working under McCarthy, the former Premier League striker and UEFA Champions League winner.
“Every time I get it, it's a bit of a shock,” he said.
“If you asked me a couple of years ago if I was going to play for Kenya, I wouldn't have believed you.
“Especially playing for Benni McCarthy, looking at the player that he was as well, it's always an honour.”
There is an added family connection to Obiero’s international journey, with his brother, Zech, also representing Kenya.
The brothers were together in camp in June, although injury ruled Zech out of the latest fixtures.
“When we're in the same team, it's always an honour,” Micah explained.
“Our family is always proud to have two brothers in the same national team. It's always good.
“I've got family out there as well. They came to watch the game when we played at home in Kenya, so I'm always taken back by it.
“He made his debut a bit earlier than me, but I'm just proud of him. When we do well, it's a testament to the family as a whole as well.”
The next ambition is to share the pitch in Kenya colours.
“I was hoping against Lesotho maybe we'd come on together, but that didn't happen,” he said. “Maybe in the near future.”
Working under McCarthy, a former Premier League striker and UEFA Champions League winner with Porto, has also given Obiero an opportunity to learn from someone who understands his position.
“He's really good, to be fair,” he said.
“Being a striker as well, he gives me pointers and he's a good mentor to have.
“He looks after the players. He was very, very good with me leaving early. He was very helpful in that and understanding of it.
“I just want to thank him for that as well.
“It's a really good experience having him with the pedigree that he has, the things that he's won and the goals that he's scored.
“As a striker, it's a good thing for me to have him, but also as a whole, he's a good coach.”
That understanding proved important as attention turned to Carlisle’s trip to Aldershot.
Micah was determined to return to Carlisle United as soon as possible after international duty, with Sporting Director Marc Tierney speaking directly to Kenya Head Coach Benni McCarthy to help make that happen.
Tierney said: “Micah is proud to represent Kenya, and we fully support his international ambitions. I spoke directly with Benni about getting him back in time for Aldershot, and I’d like to thank him for his understanding and cooperation.
“Micah was determined to be available for us. To make that journey, join up with the squad and then come on and score says a lot about his commitment to the club.”
After playing 45 minutes against Guinea on Thursday, Obiero travelled via Paris and arrived in London around midday on Friday.
Following discussions with Rob Elliot and the coaching staff, he rested that day before reporting for duty on Saturday.
Named among the substitutes at the EBB Stadium, he was told to be ready to make an impact in the closing stages.
He was told he could have around 20 minutes. He needed less than that to make his mark.
“I still felt a bit tired because I played a game on Thursday,” he said.
“I only played 45, but I still felt a bit tired.
“They said, ‘If you come on, you will get 20 minutes, so just give it your all.’
“Luckily I got the goal as well, so it was worth it in the end.”
The late strike was Obiero’s first away goal for United and capped an impressive show of commitment after returning from international duty.
For the forward, it was also an opportunity to repay the faith shown in him since arriving at the club.
“They have a belief in me as well. That's why they brought me to the club,” he said.
“I also like to repay that favour by showing how committed I am to the cause and to what we have going on here.
“I just tried my best with what I had, with the strength that I had, to master something for the game.
“As I said, I got the goal, so I'm just happy that I tagged along.”
The goal arrived late in the contest after Carlisle had already established an advantage, but Obiero’s finish provided the perfect ending to an exhausting few days.
“It was a good feeling, considering how the game was going,” he said.
“They got a goal against us from a good strike from the edge of the box, and I think that goal just kind of sealed off the game a bit.
“I know it was late, but it was a good feeling to score a goal and hopefully I'll get many more.”
While Obiero is making his mark in Carlisle, his performances continue to attract plenty of attention from supporters back home in Kenya.
The support has followed him from his international appearances in front of large crowds to his day-to-day life with United, with Kenyan supporters regularly showing their backing across social media.
“Kenya have crazy support,” he said.
“Even when we played there, there were about 25,000.
“They always support people wherever the club is, and I'm thankful for their support because it's really helpful as well.
“Any Kenyan player that joins a team, they always become a fan of that team.
“To see them in the comments, to see them supporting me, is a really nice feeling.”
With Kenya set to co-host AFCON 2027 alongside Uganda and Tanzania, they will automatically secure their place at the tournament.
For Obiero, earning a place in the squad would represent the biggest moment of his international career so far.
“AFCON is a very big tournament and there's a lot of good players in there from all over the world.
“It'd be a very nice feeling because it'd be my first major tournament.
“Hopefully my brother will be back then and he'll be selected, so it'll be a special moment for the family as well.
“The tournament being hosted by us means even my family that live in Kenya can come, and my family back here can travel there.
“It'll be a really nice feeling if I'm picked.”
And Obiero’s ambitions go beyond simply being part of the occasion.
With McCarthy setting high expectations for his side, the Carlisle forward is determined that Kenya would arrive at the tournament with the intention of competing.
“Hopefully we can achieve something special in the tournament as well,” he added.
“We're not just going there for the experience.
“As Benni has said loads of times, we want to compete and make our nation proud as well.”
