Victor Wanyama hails CHAN’s role in transforming Kenyan football

Former Kenyan midfielder Victor Wanyama. (Photo: Diane FALCONER/AFP)

By Erick Kariuki
Thursday, August 21, 2025

For Wanyama, CHAN is not just about today’s matches; it is about shaping the future of Kenyan and African football.

Victor Wanyama has played on some of Europe’s biggest stages, from anchoring Celtic’s midfield in Scotland to shining in the Premier League with Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur.

Yet, when the former Harambee Stars captain speaks about the game, his heart turns back to Africa and particularly to the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).

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“CHAN is a very important tournament for African football,” Wanyama told CAFOnline.com. “It gives the local players a chance to show what they can do and is also a good platform for scouts to come and watch some great talent and pick them up for bigger leagues outside the continent.”

For Wanyama, CHAN is far more than another competition. Designed exclusively for home-based players, it creates rare opportunities for those who have yet to venture abroad. “This competition prepares local players to be on the same level as their colleagues who play abroad. It helps build the future of African football,” he said.

The midfielder knows firsthand what seizing opportunities can do; his career mirrors the journey many young African players aspire to take. He recalls success stories like Morocco’s Ayoub El Kaabi, who first lit up CHAN before moving on to Europe and eventually signing for Olympiakos. To Wanyama, CHAN is filled with hidden gems awaiting discovery.

Kenya’s experience as hosts has reinforced that belief. Under coach Benni McCarthy, the Harambee Stars reached the knockout stages of a major tournament for the first time in 38 years, topping their group with three wins and a draw.

Wanyama has been impressed. “Under a great coach, Kenya has brought together a very good team – a team that was assembled in a very short time, but they have looked so good together and very well prepared,” he observed.

Ahead of the quarterfinal clash with Madagascar, he urged the team to keep their confidence. “They should keep believing they can do something special, especially since they are playing at home. The team has everything it takes to be victorious. They have a good coach who knows how to win things because he has been there and done that.”

But Wanyama insists CHAN’s legacy will not be measured only in results. Hosting the tournament has left a lasting mark on Kenyan football, from upgraded infrastructure to renewed fan enthusiasm. “It means a lot for Kenya to host and play at this CHAN. We have seen proper infrastructure being developed, good coaching and good players who are doing something for the country,” he explained.

“With good pitches, you see the kind of football we can play. CHAN has allowed us to improve our facilities, and now I am sure we will see more players because of the beautiful surfaces they have to play in. Hosting this tournament will change the national team and Kenyan football at large.”

He added, “Even the way fans have embraced the national team shows a new level of belief. With quality pitches and strong leagues, our football will rise to greater heights.”

Looking ahead, Wanyama views CHAN as a stepping stone toward even bigger challenges. With Kenya set to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations alongside Uganda and Tanzania, he believes the foundations are already being laid. “The performance of the national team inspires a lot of confidence that we can compete with the rest of the continent well in 2027,” he affirmed.

For Wanyama, CHAN is not just about today’s matches; it is about shaping the future of Kenyan and African football.