Kenya: Victor Wanyama - "Maybe I can come back and help the team…"
Victor Wanyama could return to the Kenya squad, but he wants certain sporting guarantees before doing so.
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In September 2021, Victor Wanyama decided to call time on his career by retiring from international football. But in December, reports suggested he would soon be back with Kenya. However, that return has still not happened. The reasons for the delay are linked to the way the Harambee Stars are set up. The 31-year-old therefore wants to take his time to think it over.
"It's a bit difficult because we have a lot of good players, but the problem is that they haven't settled on one coach. Having different coaches who keep changing players all the time is difficult. But now, I hope they have settled on one coach. I've spoken to the minister and I've spoken to the (new) coach. They all want me to come back but I said, 'I need a bit of time to think about it. Maybe I can come back and help the team, help the young players understand what it means to represent their country. I think the players deserve better treatment and more professionalism'", Victor Wanyama told BBC Sport Africa. That chronic instability is illustrated in particular by the fact that Kenya have had seven coaches in six years. The post is currently held by Turkey's Engin Firat.
No challenge, no return?
Even so, it is fair to suggest that the lack of a challenge plays a part in Victor Wanyama's reluctance to return to the national team. Kenya will not be at AFCON 2023. The country is not even taking part in the qualifiers. The blame lies with a FIFA suspension for government interference, after the Sports Ministry dissolved the Football Kenya Federation over alleged embezzlement. Indeed, the former Tottenham player laments this suspension. He sees it as a brake on many young players.
"I talk a lot to some players, trying to advise them on what they should do, and I think it's only a matter of time before they are in the best leagues in the world. But one of the biggest platforms for them to be seen is playing for their national team, representing their country. When that is taken away from young players, it's hard for them. I hope Kenya can get back to where they belong, because we lost a lot when the country wasn't playing competitive matches". Kenyan fans will no doubt hope to see their side back in official competition soon, since the suspension has now been lifted since November. And perhaps with Victor Wanyama, who knows…