Former Harambee Stars defender Ricky Solomon has revealed why he supports veteran midfielder Victor Wanyama’s potential return to the national team. For Solomon, Wanyama’s presence could be vital as Kenya builds toward future competitions, including the upcoming CHAN tournament.Follow our WhatsApp channel for more newsWanyama was expected to make a sensational comeback during the international friendlies against Chad in Morocco, in what would have been his first appearance since officially retiring from international football in 2021.However, personal commitments in the United Kingdom forced the Dunfermline Athletic midfielder to pull out of the squad.##NAJAVA_MECA_8971596##Despite the missed opportunity, Solomon maintains that Wanyama still has much to offer the team both on and off the pitch.“Having an experienced player like him is a big advantage. If teams across the world want him, who are we to reject him? In football, you need a balance of youth and experience,” Solomon told Mozzart Sport.Solomon went on to explain how players would benefit from sharing the pitch and dressing room with the former Southampton midfielder.“He does not have to play the full 90 minutes. He will only play when the coach needs him. His presence alone will help the team. The players will listen to him, and he will support the coach,” he continued.”This country has to respect Wanyama”- McCarthy on Harambee Stars’ midfielder returnWanyama, who once captained Kenya and featured prominently for clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur, Southampton, and Celtic, is currently playing under former Celtic manager Neil Lennon at Dunfermline.He rejoined the Scottish Championship side in March after a short break following his exit from MLS outfit Montréal, and has since expressed openness to extending his stay beyond the current contract.Solomon downplayed concerns over Wanyama’s age, arguing that fitness, not years, should be the true measure of a player’s readiness.“He is not injured, and he is still fit. Age matters, yes, but it depends on the individual’s fitness. We have had goalkeepers playing into their 40s. His value is not just on the field—he can advise and offer moral support. The coach knew what he was doing by bringing him back,” he offered.He also alluded to the challenges of being recognized at home, calling for a more appreciative and supportive fan base.“Even Jesus was rejected at home. Recognition is hard to come by locally. If he wants to keep playing, that’s his choice. Even if you look at his body, you can see that he’s still active. If he were tired, it would show,” he added.Victor Wanyama withdraws from Harambee Stars squadSolomon also weighed in on Harambee Stars’ recent 0-0 draw with Chad in a friendly played on Saturday, 7 June, in Marrakech, Morocco.Despite dominating possession, Kenya failed to find the back of the net against a side ranked 177th in the world. Still, Solomon urged for patience, citing the need for more time to build team chemistry.“Playing a lower-ranked team does not guarantee a win. Rankings don’t matter much. The players still need time to gel. There is no chemistry yet, but when it comes, Harambee Stars will be hard to beat.After the Premier League ends, we need to have them train together consistently. Even a month of daily training would make a huge difference. They should also play more friendlies to build cohesion,” he remarked.He further commended McCarthy’s leadership and praised the selection process under the new technical team.“Right now, there is more fairness in how players are picked. The coach has been open and transparent. I fully support him, especially in decisions like bringing Wanyama back. Kenyans should be grateful,” he concluded.Mariga blames fans for Wanyama’s early Harambee Stars retirementKenya has been drawn in a challenging Pool A for the 2024 CHAN tournament. Benni McCarthy’s charges will face two-time champions Morocco, Angola, inaugural winners DR Congo, and regional giants Zambia.
