Wanyama battles for starting spot at Montréal after pre-season setback
Victor Wanyama faces an uphill battle to regain a prime spot with Montréal. He entered as a substitute in the 64th minute in a recent pre-season match against Tamper Bay. Despite his efforts, Montréal couldn’t turn the tide. The club ended the pre-season poorly with a 4-1 defeat. Wanyama’s diminished role under the previous coach led to tensions, facing exclusion for much of the previous season. He is now determined to earn back his place. However, he will face fierce competition from younger talents. Notable contenders to consider include Nathan Saliba, Samuel Piette, and Ilias Iliadis. Wanyama joined CF Montréal from Tottenham Hotspur on a free transfer in 2020. He made an impactful debut, providing an assist in a CONCACAF Champions League match against C.D. Olimpia. In November 2021, he captained the team to victory in the Canadian Championship Final. Wanyama saw his contract expire in December 2022. During his three seasons with the club, Wanyama’s contributions included five goals and eight assists in 80 MLS games. He was featured predominantly as a starter in 78 of those matches. Despite initially planning not to renew his contract, Wanyama later signed a two-year extension with the club in January 2023. “We are glad to have concluded a new deal with Victor and that he remains with us,” said the Montréal club vice-president Olivier Renard back then. “During the last three seasons, he has been an important player on the field and in the locker room.” “When I arrived here, I believed in the club’s project. As we continue to grow, this is even more true,” said Wanyama upon his extension. “I am eager to continue bringing my best for my teammates, the coaching staff, and the Montréal supporters.” Wanyama’s career before Montréal Born Victor Mugubi Wanyama in 1991, Wanyama is widely considered Kenya’s first Premier League representative. Known as “Big Vic” for his imposing physique, he began his career at Kamukunji High School and later joined JMJ Academy. Wanyama joined various clubs after his graduation, including Nairobi City Stars and AFC Leopards, in his homeland. In 2011, Wanyama made a significant move to Celtic FC after impressing with Beerschot AC, becoming the first Kenyan to feature in the Scottish Premier League. His standout moment came when he scored against Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League. He moved to Southampton in the Premier League in 2013 for a then-record fee for a Scottish club at £12.5 million. His next transfer rumors linked him with Arsenal. However, Wanyama joined Tottenham Hotspur in 2016. This move reunited him with former manager Mauricio Pochettino. He made significant contributions during his time with Spurs before making the move to MLS in 2020. Backing up Kenya Despite a budding international career, Wanyama has also played for the Kenyan national team. His position earned him over 60 caps since his debut at just 15 years old. He announced his retirement from international football in September 2021 due to being sidelined during the 2022 World Cup qualifiers. However, the former Harambee Stars captain later reversed his decision. Wanyama’s return was announced after a meeting with Kenya’s Sports Minister, Ababu Namwamba, in 2022. His decision aligned with FIFA lifting a ban on Kenya’s football federation (FKF), which was reinstated by the government after facing corruption allegations. Despite the much-celebrated announcement, Wanyama has not yet made any appearance with the team ever since. It is also unlikely that the player will be present for the upcoming CHAN 2024 despite his country being one of the co-hosts. Kenya, alongside Uganda and Tanzania, will co-host the 2024 CHAN tournament in September. Wanyama has hinted at a possible comeback to the Harambee Stars if issues with the federation are resolved. He stressed the importance of professionalism and better treatment of players in several interviews. His potential return could spark excitement among local bettors, as Kenya is catching up with the trends of crypto sports betting in Nigeria. But the current roster of Harambee Stars so far doesn’t include his name. The Kenyan national football team is currently led by head coach Engin Firat and captained by Michael Olunga. Firat announced its squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Gabon and Seychelles on 16 and 20 November 2023. Notable players selected include Patrick Matasi, Aboud Omar, Teddy Akumu, and Eric Johanna Omondi.
