Former Harambee Stars skipper Dennis Oliech believes Victor Wanyama’s decision to call time on his international career was premature as he waxed lyrical on the sturdy midfielder. The Club de Foot Montréal captain decided to retire on Monday after he was overlooked by former Harambee Stars head coach Jacob Ghost Mulee with the armband handed over Michael Olunga.Speaking to Mozzart Sport, Oliech noted that Wanyama might have felt unwanted after missing the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Egypt and Togo and the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Uganda and Rwanda. It has been an honor to represent my Country and I think the time has come for me to pass the mantle to the young ones,I’ll always be a of the National Team and their biggest supporter . pic.twitter.com/7jaQ1qA9Lw— Victor Wanyama (@VictorWanyama) September 27, 2021 “It is a smart move that he retired because he felt unwanted in the team and you cannot force things if the new coach has not called you up. If you are the most senior player and you are not called up it might be about your form or you are seen as an inciter,”“He was however phased out of the team early, Ghost should be asked why Wanyama was dropped because you cannot say that it’s because of his form as he is scoring goals and performing well,” said Oliech.After amassing a total of 71 caps and scoring seven goals, five of which were from the penalty spot, Wanyama will now fully focus on his club career in the Major Soccer League (MLS).Oliech thinks that Ghost Mulee played a crucial part in the 30-year-old’s retirement from the international scene as no concrete reason was issued for his exclusion from the National Team.The former Auxerre forward opened up on the integral role Wanyama played in the middle of the pack when they played together for Harambee Stars. “When Wanyama and (MacDonald) Mariga were in midfield, I had no worries and Jamal Mohamed as a number 10 and (Ayub)Timbe on the wing, I got enough service and could worry less about tracking back because the midfield was well marshalled,”“Wanyama was the pillar of the team, if he was missing I was not confident going into the game. We also had good substitutes like (Patrick) Osiako when he came in and (Anthony) Akumu,” noted Oliech. THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME.THE GREATEST THERE EVER WILL BE.DENNIS OGUTA OLIECH!! pic.twitter.com/G9GdDpSOaO— Zev Love X (@__ViktorVaughn) September 28, 2021 Social media was awash with comparisons between Wanyama and Oliech as to who offered a better service for Harambee Stars but the former noted that the discussion was needless. “I can’t brag but I can say that maybe people think so because I played in the national team longer than Wanyama and that is why I say that he was forced to retire early,”“Another reason could be that strikers are always given more credit than any other player for example Musa (Otieno) gave more service to the National Team but he is not always given the credit he deserves. I saw that yesterday but I think it was pointless because Wanyama has his fans and I have fans so that could cause unnecessary friction,” added Oliech. With Wanyama inheriting the armband from Oliech, the former Gor Mahia forward revealed that Michael Olunga who is now tasked with the captaincy is fit for the role. Leader. Warrior. Fighter. True professional. Lucky to have shared the locker room with you and thanks for the inspiration you gave us 🙏🏾.Wishing you the best as you retire on the international stage🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/PoqmlfxAQB— MICHAEL OLUNGA (@OgadaOlunga) September 28, 2021 “Olunga can make a good captain but I think he could have profited from the service of Wanyama in midfield. I know where he is now he is not very happy seeing Wanyama retire because of his experience and what he could have added to the team,”“Olunga should be more vocal but I understand he is just getting started. Now is not the time, he is focusing on football and the National Team, he cannot question why Wanyama wasn’t called up because he risks not being called up next time,”“He will get the courage in the next three or four years, but then again people are different he might be one of those people who prefer to work in silence,” Oliech intimated. ##EDITORS_CHOICE##
