Sports

Wanyama must prove self, Firat

Friday, February 3rd, 2023 02:30 | By
Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat (left) give instructions to player Wilkins Ochieng before the team played Mali in a World Cup qualifier in 2021. PD/ RODGERS NDEGWA

Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat has said that former team captain Victor Wanyama would not have a direct ticket back to the team after he made a U-turn on his international retirement last month0, saying that he would have to fight for a call-up just like all the other players.

Firat who was talking exclusively to People Sport from his base in Turkey as he prepares to travel to Kenya and start recruiting national team players, said he would open the door for all players willing to help the national team and give every single player in the country an equal chance to do duty for the country so long as one proved his worth.

Wanyama who plies his trade for CF Montreal in the Major Super League, after having stints with Tottenham, Southampton, Celtic and Germinal Beershot, seem to have made a U-turn on his retirement after meeting Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba on December 8.

He had not been considered for selection by former Harambee Stars head coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee for two matches, as Mulee preferred the services of Richard Odada in that position, a decision that seemed to have irked the star player.

“When I took up the job. Victor had missed two matches with the national team, but I called him and told him that I needed him in the team and he told me he would think about it. Then the following day he announced that he had retired from international football. I have never heard from him again. He is a big player with a lot of experience and talent, but the situation is the same for Victor and all other players,” Firat told People Sport.

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