NAIROBI, Kenya, September 6- The most expensive footballer in Kenyan history, Victor Wanyama, arrived in the country on Thursday morning to take his place in the national team Harambee Stars squad for their 2014 World Cup qualifier against Namibia.
Wanyama who moved from Scottish league champions Glasgow Celtic to English premiership side, Southampton in a 12.5-million-pound deal in August, went straight to the team’s camp at Nairobi’s Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani upon landing.
His arrival completed the 27-man contingent listed to participate in the academic qualifier with Kenya and Namibia already out of the running to feature in Brazil next year.
“Having him in the team is a good boost for us and a statement that the game is important despite the fact that we are out of the competition to feature in the World Cup,” head coach, Adel Amrouche, said while welcoming the combative midfielder and his captain to the squad.
“It shows that even the biggest players in the country value their team and this will serve to motivate younger players in the team and those looking forward to play in it in the future when they see a player like Victor with them.”
Wanyama who has featured for Southampton in all the three matches they have played this season, joined the rest of the foreign-based legion led by his predecessor as Stars captain and French Ligue 1, AJ Ajaccio striker Dennis Oliech and Jamal Mohammed, who turns out for Al Nasr-Oman.
Meanwhile, Namibia arrived in Nairobi on Thursday morning for the tie but will be missing their regular skipper Da Costa Angula when they take on Kenya on Sunday in Nairobi.
The defender picked an abdominal muscle strain in training and was ruled out of the match with Namibia’s head Coach Ricardo Mannetti saying his team would be able to cope without the services of their leader.
Namibia and Kenya trail Group F of the CAF qualifiers with 4 and 3 points in that order with Nigeria (9) and Malawi (6) who will clash at the home of the reigning Africa champions topping the standings.
