Kenya’s national team coach, Benni McCarthy, has clarified his choice to recall retired midfielder and former captain Victor Wanyama for the upcoming friendly matches against Chad, scheduled to take place in Morocco on June 7th and 10th.
In announcing his provisional squad for these international fixtures during the FIFA break, the 47-year-old South African icon brought Wanyama back into the fold. The 33-year-old, who last donned the national colours in 2020, had retired from international duty in 2021 after being overlooked for the World Cup qualifiers.
However, due to personal obligations in the United Kingdom, the ex-Tottenham Hotspur midfielder has requested to be excused from the two matches.
In response, McCarthy accepted Wanyama’s request and promptly issued a call-up to Austin Odhiambo, a midfielder for Gor Mahia.
Odhiambo has been performing excellently in recent FKF Premier League matches following his recovery from injury. His presence could offer additional creativity to the squad’s midfield options for the upcoming fixtures.
Wanyama made his debut for the Harambee Stars in May 2007 at just 15 years of age during a friendly against Nigeria. He subsequently featured in all six of Kenya’s qualifiers for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and captained the team during the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2019, where Kenya concluded the group stage in third place, trailing the eventual finalists, Algeria and Senegal.
Wanyama’s Influence on Young Players
Social media reactions to Wanyama’s return have sparked a debate among Kenyans, with opinions divided. While some supported McCarthy’s decision, others expressed that Wanyama’s time as a player for the national team should be over, advocating for a potential future coaching role instead.
McCarthy elaborated on his rationale for recalling Wanyama, emphasising the need for experienced players to mentor younger teammates who are gradually being integrated into the squad for upcoming challenges.
“It’s unfortunate that Victor (Wanyama) couldn’t join us due to family commitments; it’s not about him being unable to be here. I believe he is a local hero.
“I’ve been through something similar in South Africa, where I didn’t get the farewell I deserved after everything I did for my country.”
McCarthy also stressed that Wanyama deserves to be revered within Kenyan football, mentioning that the former Celtic and Southampton player’s achievements, along with Michael Olunga and Macdonald Mariga, have placed the East African nation’s football on the global map.
“Victor (Wanyama) is a figure this country should respect. His contributions have elevated Kenya’s reputation in football. He is one of the players who has shone at clubs like Celtic, Southampton, and Tottenham Hotspur, alongside Michael (Olunga) and Mariga.”
“Bringing someone of his calibre back into the squad is crucial. Younger players stand to benefit immensely from learning alongside someone with Wanyama’s experience and accomplishments.”
McCarthy concluded: “While it is unfortunate that family matters prevented his participation this time, there will be future chances.”
Wanyama made history by becoming the first Kenyan to score in the UEFA Champions League, netting the opener in Celtic’s 2-1 victory over Barcelona on November 7th, 2012.
Chad Friendlies: Key Preparation for Kenya
McCarthy has expressed that the upcoming fixtures against Chad will provide a platform for assessing Kenya’s readiness for the 2024 Africa Nations Championships (CHAN), which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania starting in August.
“The mood in the camp is very positive, and I anticipate a productive week ahead. These friendly matches are vital for match fitness and will aid our preparations for CHAN,” McCarthy stated.
“I also wanted to give international players in the squad a chance to showcase their talents, especially those I didn’t fully evaluate during the last camp. I believe it’s essential for Wilson, who played a vital role in our World Cup qualifiers, to gain more match time, especially since he hasn’t been as involved with his club as he would have liked.”
“This camp presents an excellent opportunity for him to play a couple of games and stay connected with the national team as we look towards future tournaments like AFCON 2027.”
Regarding the selection of Brian Mandela from Stellenbosch FC in the Premier Soccer League (PSL), McCarthy stated: “Brian (Mandela) hasn’t played as many matches as he would have liked, so this serves as an excellent opportunity for him to help guide younger players, allowing them to learn from his experience.”
“That same rationale applies to international players like Adam Wilson from the UK, whom I didn’t have the chance to evaluate thoroughly previously, but he has been performing admirably for his club, making this an ideal time to assess him.”
Kenya’s matches against Chad are set to take place at Stade de Marrakech in Morocco on June 7th and 10th.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
Fanpage: SportArena.com.au.
LiveScore – Live Sports Results & Odds.
