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International break analysis: Get to know Victor Wanyama’s Kenya

By Karl Harrington

Kenya and Ghana's supporteres cheer and react during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier match between Kenya and Ghana, at the Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi, on September 8, 2018. (Photo by Yasuyoshi CHIBA / AFP) (Photo credit should read YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP/Getty Images)
Kenya and Ghana's supporteres cheer and react during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier match between Kenya and Ghana, at the Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi, on September 8, 2018. (Photo by Yasuyoshi CHIBA / AFP) (Photo credit should read YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP/Getty Images) /
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Current players

It would be unfair to claim there are any players close to Wanyama’s pedigree in the current Kenyan crop.

The majority of the side play their football in the domestic league; while, many have switched to the Zambian league. The most common route between the two divisions is from Gor Mahia to ZESCO United – the powerhouses in each respective division – and such was the path for Kenya’s current vice captain David Owino.

A handful of Kenyans have been picked up by clubs around the globe and some names worth mentioning include: Mariga Wanyama, Victor’s aforementioned brother who boasts Inter Milan, Parma, and Real Oviedo as former employers; Ayub Timbe Masika, a speedy winger with a decent goal return who plays in the Chinese Super League; Michael Olunga, another exciting forward playing in Japan; and Aboud Omar and Johanna Omolo who apply their trade in Belgium’s top division

Another valuable asset is new manager Sebastien Migne. By the time the Frenchman took over Kenya had already lost their opening AFCON qualifying group game versus Sierra Leone and any chance of making it to Cameroon in 2019 already looked to be slipping away. But in Migne’s first competitive game his side recorded a stunning victory against Ghana to renew hope.

Future prospects for Kenyan football

Kenya will be brimming with confidence after the win against four-time AFCON winners Ghana. The victory is even more impressive when you consider the hosts played a large portion of the game with ten men after Joash Onyango’s dismissal on the hour mark. Kenya were also without many key players such as Wanyama, Masika, Owino and Brian Mandela.

Migne put his faith in a very young squad and preferred Kenyan Premier League players to more established stars which is a good sign for the domestic league. Three starters play their football for Gor Mahia who are starting to make their mark on the continent and were unlucky not to qualify for the CAF Champions League quarter finals last year.

On top of that, the win was sandwiched between 1-0 friendly victories against Equatorial Guinea and Malawi. The side will face a double-header against Ethiopia this week and six points would leave them within touching distance of their first AFCON in 14 years.

Football’s popularity continues to grow in Kenya with attendances for national games rising from only 3,000 to over 20,000. Since Migne’s appointment they have jumped back into the top 100 in the FIFA rankings and the future looks bright for the young Harambee Stars.

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Another huge boost will be the return of a fit Victor Wanyama and if he manages to regain his form from the 2016/17 season then Kenya could not only just qualify for the upcoming AFCON but record their most impressive ever showing.

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