Kenyan international footballer Victor Wanyama has made an about-turn about his retirement from international football.
Wanyama had in September 2020 announced his retirement from international football after he was left out of the national team – Harambee Stars, by coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee.
But following a meeting with Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba, the defensive midfielder said he is now available to be picked for the national team.
The decision to come out of retirement was announced by the CS in a tweet on December 8, 2022.
In the tweet, Namwambwa noted that elite players will play a key role in the government’s bid to elevate national teams.
“Am delighted @VictorWanyama has agreed to return fully to Harambee Stars, rescinding his earlier decision to exit the team. In our mission to rebuild our football and elevate our national teams, our elite players must be at the heart of this renaissance. @OgadaOlunga too is in,” the Sports CS said.
Am delighted @VictorWanyama has agreed to return fully to Harambee Stars, rescinding his earlier decision to exit the team. In our mission to rebuild our football and elevate our national teams, our elite players must be at the heart of this renaissance. @OgadaOlunga too is in.🇰🇪 pic.twitter.com/EDedqb5iQn
— Hon Ababu-Namwamba, EGH🇰🇪 (@AbabuNamwamba) December 8, 2022
Victor Wanyama on December 7, 2022, also posted on his Instagram account about the meeting with the CS.
State of Kenyan football
In the post, the 31-year-old football star noted that he was impressed with what the government has in store for Kenyan football.
“Paid a courtesy call to the Cabinet secretary for sports @ababunamwamba today. We discussed the current state of sports and particularly football in the country . Im pleased with the plans that the government has put in place to elevate the state of football in this country. We also exchanged ideas on how to better the sport across all regions in Kenya. The mandate is to work together and take football to the next level. Excited for what’s ahead,” Victor Wanyama said in the post.
He has been playing for the Canadian-based FC Montreal until recently when he announced that his time at the club was up.
Previously, Wanyama has played for English Premier League (EPL) sides Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur.
He also played for the Scottish side – Celtic – where he became the first ever Kenyan player to score in the UEFA Champions League when he scored the first goal in Celtic’s 2–1 win over Barcelona on 7 November 2012.
On 11 July 2013, Wanyama moved to Premier League club Southampton for £12.5 million, making him the most expensive player sold by a Scottish club, surpassing the £9.5 million Russian club Spartak Moscow paid for Aiden McGeady in 2010.
To date, the footballer has earned over 60 caps for the Kenyan national team since making his international debut in May 2007 at age 15.
Sasa ni kocha atachgua players ama CS?