Wanyama's 'time is up' - Fans respond to Kenya legends proposed return to Harambee Stars

23:15 EAT 08/12/2022

Victor Wanyama of Kenya during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

The supporters questioned why it is the Minister who made the call while others think the former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder will not offer much

Victor Wanyama’s return to the national team has divided Kenyan fans with some feeling his time is up while others want him to be a mentor instead.

Kenya’s Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba announced on Thursday that he had talked Wanyama out of international retirement, having quit Harambee Stars in September 2021, after a 14-year stint.

Am delighted @VictorWanyama has agreed to return fully to Harambee Stars, rescinding his earlier decision to exit the team. In our mission to rebuild our football and elevate our national teams, our elite players must be at the heart of this renaissance. @OgadaOlunga too is in.🇰🇪 pic.twitter.com/EDedqb5iQn
— Hon Ababu-Namwamba, EGH🇰🇪 (@AbabuNamwamba) December 8, 2022

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Give youth a chance

If ever you learned something from the World Cup, the young blood are dictating play these days. There are about 10,000 better Wanyamas awaiting their chance to shine. -@mwaura24
Goal.

His experience is vital

There is no country left performing well without old players in the squad. England took old [Jordan] Henderson, Brazil, Netherlands, and Portugal have a bunch of them. Such games require experience. -@_MwendiaDenis
FKF.

Find better players

Who should be calling players to the team. Ababu nini mbaya na wewe bana [What’s wrong with you, Ababu]. Shida iko wapi mkuu [What’s the problem]. High schools have the best talent let this Victor Wanyama rest, we need a future team not oldies. -@RestricteDesire
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His time is up

The future of football in Kenya is the young untapped raw talent, secondary schools and small leagues & clubs of Kenya. Victor can help in team management and talent development but top player? Time is up.
-@KemoliSagala
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Learn from France

Adapt something from France the Claire Fontaine academy. French powerhouse for the last 30 years. Produced Kylian [Mbappe], [Thierry] Henry, [Zinedine] Zidane, [Raphael] Varane, [Antoine] Griezmann, [Paul] Pobga. Five-star football facility started by federation and government. -@Ngesabro
BackpagePix.

He should offer technical support

Hopefully he's coming back as a technical support kind of arrangement. Give youth a chance. Out of the nine 2026 World Cup spots, Kenya should get a chance to play in the World Cup but it is only with the younger and hungrier football stars. -@EK_kibett
Goal Kenya.

Get players from local league

Elite players, the likes of @VictorWanyama, [McDonald] Mariga @OgadaOlunga & Divock Origi have made it to the big leagues. Their experience is valued, however, there is need to nurture players from the local leagues to elevate morale. -@CsMuia
Montreal.

Wanyama still important

When [Lionel] Messi returned to the national team Argentines were proud but when Wanyama returns, Kenyans are quick to draw the line here.He's of more importance just like Messi was for Argentina. Let's not be too negative to our own legends. Wanyama has played in every big stadium.
-@Elly59331343
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Let the coach choose

Let the manager choose his own players. Like in Spain, [Sergio] Ramos and Thiago were left out. Stop killing the dream of young players who want to play in the national team. Furthermore, Wanyama isn't the player he used to be. - @Puffy899
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Let him mentor youngsters

Let him come as a leader to guide young, fresh players. Otherwise, invest in talent academies. We have very good football players huko ndani vijijini [in the villages] - @AchangaTeddy