- Former captain Victor Wanyama makes a return to the Harambee Stars after a four-year absence.
- He’s named in Benni McCarthy’s 25-man provisional squad for friendlies against Chad on June 7 and 10 in Morocco.
- The matches are part of Kenya’s build-up to the 2024 CHAN tournament, co-hosted with Uganda and Tanzania in August.
Former Harambee Stars skipper Victor Wanyama is among the 25 players in the provisional squad named by coach Benni McCarthy ahead of two international friendlies against Chad scheduled for June 7 and June 10 in Morocco.
These warm-up matches will serve as critical preparation for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) pencilled to take place in August, with Kenya co-hosting the tournament alongside Uganda and Tanzania.
Wanyama, 33, who stepped away from international duty after announcing his retirement in September 2021, hinted last week that the South African tactician had successfully persuaded him to make a comeback to the national fold.
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The former Celtic, Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder famously captained Kenya during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, where the team finished third in their group behind eventual finalists Algeria and Senegal.
When did Victor Wanyama retire?
Wanyama made his international debut for Harambee Stars in May 2007 at the tender age of 15 in a friendly against Nigeria. He went on to feature in all six of Kenya’s 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.
In September 2021, after a series of omissions from the squad during the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign, Wanyama officially called time on his 14-year international career.
Notably absent from the squad is current captain Michael Olunga, who was overlooked despite the roster blending experienced veterans and promising newcomers.
Given that CHAN exclusively features domestic-based players, Wanyama – now with Scottish side Dunfermline Athletic was recalled, the same logic could arguably support Olunga’s inclusion.
Among the standout selections are Kenneth Nyamwaya and Swaleh Pamba, both receiving their first senior call-ups, signaling McCarthy’s intent to infuse fresh energy into the side.
This marks McCarthy’s second training camp with the Harambee Stars and the upcoming fixtures will serve as a vital opportunity to evaluate squad depth and tactical cohesion as Kenya builds toward CHAN 2025.
Players are expected to report to camp on Friday, June 2, 2025, to begin preparations for the double-header against Chad.
ALSO READ: Where does Michael Olunga rank in Harambee Stars’ all-time top scorer list?
Harambee Stars 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)
Midfielders:
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 Coast Mariners FC)
Forwards:
Moses Shumah (Kakamega Homeboyz FC), Beja Nyamawi (Bandari FC), Emmanuel Osoro (FC Talanta)