Few moments in football have the power to unite, divide, and ultimately inspire as much as the homecoming of a legend. In the recent announcement that Victor Wanyama is making his long-awaited return to the Harambee Stars squad, fans across Kenya have found themselves swept up by a heady mixture of nostalgia, debate, and renewed hope. This story is more than just a list of names on a team sheet. It represents a turning point for Kenyan football, shaped by the decision-making of a new, ambitious coach—Benni McCarthy—and the enduring legacy of one of Kenya’s most accomplished players.
The return of a legend brings renewed leadership
It’s been four years since Wanyama, the only Kenyan ever to play in the Premier League, last donned his national colors. Now 33 and plying his trade at Dunfermline Athletic in Scotland, Wanyama steps back onto the international scene with a wealth of experience unmatched in Kenyan football. His inclusion in the provisional squad for June’s friendlies against Chad—Kenya’s first substantial squad announcement under Benni McCarthy—has added gravitas and expectation to what might have otherwise been just another international window.
McCarthy’s move to recall Wanyama signals more than sentimentality. As Kenya looks ahead to key fixtures, including the 2025 Africa Nations Championships (CHAN) and the monumental 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, the message is clear—a blend of youth and steady leadership is essential to forge a new national identity. For Wanyama, the call-up isn’t just about filling a roster spot; it is about bringing back a player who, as former Gor Mahia coach Bob Oyugi insists, still has “unfinished business” with the team. “The gap Wanyama left has not been filled,” says Oyugi, pointing to historical examples like Roger Milla’s late-career heroics for Cameroon as proof that age need not diminish impact.
The McCarthy era begins amidst skepticism and support
When Benni McCarthy was appointed head coach of the Harambee Stars in March, the move stirred debate both on the streets and within football circles. Francis Baraza, a former Harambee Stars defender, was candid about his initial reservations. He was among those who lobbied for a local coach, one who could prioritize Kenyan talent and break free from the perceived tradition of favoritism and “friendships” in team selection. “Give Kenyans the job to do, they have the capabilities,” Baraza asserted in an interview.
Yet, as the dust from McCarthy’s appointment settled, even his toughest critics have found themselves rallying behind the South African, who famously led Porto as a player and gained coaching experience at the highest European levels. “Now that he is in charge, let’s give him time. The results will come,” Baraza concedes, echoing a growing sentiment that unity—and not division—is what is needed if Kenya is to navigate a challenging international calendar ahead.
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Building the new Harambee Stars: youth, experience, and tactical evolution
The squad chosen by McCarthy for the Chad friendlies offers intriguing insight into his vision. Wanyama isn’t returning to a team of veterans; rather, he is entrusted with helping shepherd a new generation. Alongside familiar names like Brian Mandela and Abud Omar, McCarthy has called up dynamic young talents—Alpha Onyango, Timothy Ouma, and Adam Wilson among them—signaling a commitment to building a “structured, disciplined, and competitive squad.” The balance between seasoned professionals and homegrown prospects will be crucial if the team is to achieve what McCarthy has described as a “strong team identity” that can instill pride in Kenyan football fans.
There are notable omissions too, including captain Michael Olunga, pointing to a period of experimentation and open competition for places. “Our goal is to develop a strong team identity, play exciting football, and make the nation proud,” McCarthy stated after his appointment—words that carry new weight with Wanyama anchoring the midfield.
An eye on CHAN and AFCON, against the odds
Kenya’s international ambitions are considerable. The team is preparing not only for the June friendlies but for a demanding run that includes the 2025 CHAN tournament and the 2027 AFCON, both co-hosted by Kenya and its East African neighbors Tanzania and Uganda. The stakes are higher than ever, with the government—through Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya—pledging full support and promising that preparations for CHAN will escalate in coming weeks.
The pressure is real. Kenya has been drawn into a “Group of Death” at CHAN, facing established giants like Morocco and the Democratic Republic of Congo, both two-time winners, as well as seasoned competitors Angola and Zambia. The CHAN tournament, limited to domestic-based players, is as much a test of local football development as it is of international competitiveness. For McCarthy and Wanyama alike, these tournaments represent the dawn of a new era—or, perhaps, a final chance to leave an indelible mark on the fabric of Kenyan football.
Fans divided but united by hope
No discussion of Wanyama’s return would be complete without acknowledging the complex reactions it has sparked among fans. On social media, debate has raged over whether recalling a veteran who once stepped away is wise or whether it signals a lack of progress. Questions abound: “Why would they call him again after retiring when there are so many young talents?” one fan asks, while another notes, “The gap Wanyama left has not been filled.”
What’s clear is that passion for the Harambee Stars remains undimmed. If anything, this debate is a testament to just how much Wanyama and the team mean to Kenyan supporters—those who recall his heroics at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, his historic rise from a 15-year-old debutant in 2007 to the heights of the Premier League, and his storied club career in both England and Scotland.
Beyond nostalgia, a strategic gamble
For McCarthy, including Wanyama is more than a sentimental move. With a challenging group ahead and Kenya seeking its first major breakthrough on the continental stage, integrating experience with youthful audacity is both a necessity and a tactical gamble. The June friendlies against Chad—ranked 177th to Kenya’s 111th, and winless in over a year—will provide a safe testing ground for new systems and combinations. But the real litmus test will come later, when the quality of opposition rises and tournament football sharpens every decision.
Wanyama’s return isn’t about recapturing the past but guiding a future. His over 60 national appearances have always been characterized by discipline, composure, and an uncanny ability to read the game, traits McCarthy will hope will permeate an evolving squad culture.
Conclusion: Writing a new chapter in Kenyan football
As a journalist who has closely followed the trials, triumphs, and transformations of Harambee Stars, few stories have illustrated the emotional stakes of sport as powerfully as Victor Wanyama’s return. There are questions still to be answered—about his form, about whether the gamble pays off, about whether Kenya’s footballing infrastructure can finally catch up with its ambitions. But there are also new dreams taking shape, dreams rooted in the belief that by blending the old and the new, Kenyan football can find its rightful place on the continental and global stage.
This is more than just a squad announcement—it’s a rallying cry for unity, belief, and above all, pride in the game. Whether Wanyama’s return and McCarthy’s leadership will translate to silverware is a drama yet to unfold, but for now, all eyes—and hopes—are on them as they lead Harambee Stars into a defining chapter of their history.
