Victor Wanyama has pulled out of the Harambee Stars squad for next month's friendly matches against Chad in Morocco.
Source: Getty Images
The veteran midfielder was recalled to the setup by Benni McCarthy, but Kenyan fans will have to wait a bit longer to watch him in Kenyan colours.
Harambee Stars' X account said the former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder is out due to personal reasons and will be replaced by Gor Mahia's Austine Odhiambo. Wanyama last played for Kenya in 2020.
He was one of the biggest names on McCarthy's squad for their two friendlies set for June 7th and 10th in Morocco.
Last week, as reported that the new Football Kenya Federation (FKF leadership and McCarthy tried to convince him to return to the national team.
"Things have changed," he said via BBC Sport. "The way the federation manages the players and the national team, so that has already convinced me."
"I've spoken to him [McCarthy] a few times and he was trying to convince me to go back," Wanyama added. "He's a big manager. He has been at Manchester United. Obviously, he's experienced and he's the one that Kenya needs."
Former Harambee Stars attacker Titus Mulama told McCarthy had a specific role for Wanyama in the team.
"Victor's experience and quality, the coach felt it would've been important to the team. They are undergoing a transition, but his role may've been to guide the younger players to make McCarthy's job easier through his leadership."
Source: Getty Images
McCarthy and Harambee Stars are gearing up for the 2025 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) set for August, which Kenya will co-host alongside neighbours Uganda and Tanzania.
Kenya's next World Cup qualifiers are set for September against the Gambia and Seychelles. McCarthy is still looking for his first win after failing to win any of his first two matches in March.
Some have questioned Kenya's choice of Chad, a country ranked 177th, for their two friendly matches. Kenya failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be played in Morocco.
Kenya will play Morocco, Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Zambia in the CHAN group stages.
Earlier, reported that Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga left Al Duhail after more than four years.
The striker won one Qatari league title and two Golden Boots, leaving as the club's all-time goalscorer.
Olunga played for Harambee Stars in March and scored in both matches against the Gambia and Gabon.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
