Victor Wanyama recalled to Harambee Stars ahead of Chad friendlies
Victor Wanyama is set to make a shock return to the Harambee Stars after nearly five years in retirement, as head coach Benni McCarthy names him in a 25-man squad for friendlies against Chad.
Former Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama has been recalled to the national team ahead of scheduled friendlies against Chad, nearly four and a half years after retiring from international football.
Harambee Stars Head Coach Benni McCarthy included Wanyama in the provisional squad of 25 players set to face off against Chad in two friendlies on June 7 and June 10, respectively.
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The matches, to be played in Morocco, are part of preparations for the upcoming African Nations Championship (Chan) set to kick off in August. The squad is expected to report to camp on Friday, June 2.
Wanyama last played for Harambee Stars in November 2020 when he captained the team in a 2-1 loss against Comoros at 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
In September 2021, the former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder, who currently plays for Scottish football club Dunfermline FC, announced his retirement from international football, ending a 14-year stint with Harambee Stars, much to the surprise of fans.
Efforts by former Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba and ex-Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat to bring back the defensive midfielder, who has been vocal about Kenya's football shortcomings, were unsuccessful but it seems McCarthy has convinced him otherwise.
With captain Michael Olunga and his deputy Joseph Okumu absent from the squad, it remains unclear whether McCarthy will hand the armband to Wanyama for the upcoming matches. In recent games, veteran defender Brian Mandela has been leading the team.
Other players making a return to the national team after extended absences include Bandari's young talent David Sakwa, Adam Wilson of New Saints FC, and Gor Mahia midfielder Alpha Onyango.
Kakamega Homeboyz striker Moses Shumah and Gor Mahia centre back Alphonce Omija have also been included in the provisional squad after being left out of Star's last outing.
Below is the full list of the 25-man provisional squad;
Goalkeepers
Faruk Shikhalo (Bandari FC), Sepstianos Wekesa (Kariobangi Sharks FC), Brian Bwire (Polokwane City FC)
Defenders
Siraj Mohammed (Bandari FC), Swaleh Pamba (Bandari FC), Abud Omar (Kenya Police FC), Daniel Sakari (Kenya Police FC), Lewis Bandi (AFC Leopards), Alphonce Omija (Gor Mahia FC), Kenneth Nyamwaya (Bidco United FC), Brian Mandela (Stellenbosch FC)
Midflielders
Victor Wanyama (Dunfermline Athletic FC), Alpha Onyango (Gor Mahia FC), Timothy Ouma (SK Slavia Prague), Brian Musa (Kenya Police FC), Ben Stanley Omondi (Gor Mahia), Boniface Muchiri (Ulinzi Stars), Mohammed Bajaber (Kenya Police FC), David Sakwa (Bandari FC), James Kinyanjui (KCB FC), Adam Wilson (The New Saints FC), William Lenkupae (Central Coastal Mariners FC)
Forwards
Moses Shumah (Kakamega Homeboyz FC), Beja Nyamawi (Bandari FC), Emmanuel Osoro (FC Talanta)
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