After 1,644 days of international retirement, Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has successfully convinced former captain Victor Wanyama to return to the provisional squad ahead of a friendly against Chad. Follow our WhatsApp channel for more newsThe former Tottenham Hotspur midfield dynamo had in recent days hinted at a possible return to the Harambee Stars after holding talks with McCarthy.Fans divided over Victor Wanyama’s desire to return to Harambee StarsThe last time the 33-year-old featured for Harambee Stars was back in November 2020 when he captained Harambee Stars to a 2-1 loss to Comoros in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.He subsequently called time on his international career on 27 September 2021, aged 30, bringing to an end his 14-year stint with the team.His retirement was met with mixed reactions with the those, who felt he had quit at his prime urging the then Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee to urge the midfielder to reconsider his decision.Victor Wanyama takes first step towards coaching careerFormer Cabinet Secretary for Sports Ababu Namwamba and former Stars head coach Engin Firat unsuccessfully attempted to lure Wanyama back to the fold, despite the latter announcing that the midfielder had agreed to wear the red kit again.However, the defensive midfielder who has nit been shying from commenting on the national team and issues affecting Kenyan football will be available for selection once again.Victor Wanyama leaves door open on possible return to FKF Premier LeagueIt remains to be seen whether McCarthy will hand the captain’s armband to Wanyama, in the two matches, considering that skipper Michael Olunga and his assistant Joseph Okumu are not in the squad.In the absence of the two, veteran centre back Brian Mandela has been captaining the team.Other players, who have returned to the team after being in the cold for a while, include Bandari youngster David Sakwa, New Saints FC Adam Wilson and Gor Mahia midfielder Alpha Onyango. Harambee Starlets striker’s club to receive hundreds of millions for Champions League triumphKakamega Homeboyz striker Moses Shumah and Gor Mahia centre back Alphonce Omija are also coming back after missing out in the past assignment. New players in the squad include versatile Bandari defender Swaleh Pamba and Bidco United defender Kenneth Nyamwaya. Players are expected to report to camp on Friday, 2 June. Provisional SquadGoalkeepersFaruk Shikhalo (Bandari FC), Sepstianos Wekesa (Kariobangi Sharks FC), Brian Bwire (Polokwane City FC)DefendersSiraj 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)MidfieldersVictor 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 Coastal Mariners FC)ForwardsMoses Shumah (Kakamega Homeboyz FC), Beja Nyamawi (Bandari FC), Emmanuel Osoro (FC Talanta)
