Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama celebrates when Kenya played Ethiopia in a 2019 African Cup of Nations Qualifier on October 14, 2018. PHOTO/Timothy Olobulu
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 9 – Harambee Stars skipper Victor Wanyama faces a vital next 21 days as he looks to get himself back on track following a difficult first half of the season that has seen him struggle to get playing time at Tottenham Hotspur.
Wanyama had been primed to leave the North London outfit at the beginning of the season, but a move to Belgian side Club Brugge fell off in the last minute when a fee between the two clubs had already been agreed on.
And having played just once, a substitute appearance against Bayern Munich, since new boss Jose Mourinho took over, the midfielder is looking to seal a move out of the club in the January transfer window with several suitors knocking on his door.
“Hopefully we will have something soon,” Wanyama told Capital Sport.
Among the clubs said to be eyeing his signature include his former employers in Scotland Celtic, London club West Ham, Norwich and further sources intimate German outfit Hertha Berlin and Turkish side Galatasaray are also considering a move for his services.
Harambee Stars and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Victor Wanyama vies for the ball with Crystal Palace’s Jordan Ayew in a match on November 10, 2018
Wanyama joined Spurs in 2016 on a five-year contract and with two and a half years left to run on his time at Hotspur way, Spurs might also look to cash in on him.
But, his move out of the club might land on a stumbling block with several players in his position injured.
Mousa Sissoko who has been playing in the holding midfield role is ruled out up to April while Tanguy Ndombele who was signed in the summer is also out injured as is Eric Dier.
The absence of the three leaves Mourinho with little cover in the defensive midfield role and this might force Wanyama to put his move on hold, at least until the close of the season.
Spurs play Premier League leaders Liverpool in London on Saturday and with the midfielder yet to be started by the Portuguese manager, he might be tempted to draft him in for cover.
-Akumu to Kaizer Chiefs?
Zesco United and Harambee Stars midfielder Teddy Akumu walks out before the friendly match against Madagascar in Paris on June 7, 2019. PHOTO/Timothy Olobulu
Meanwhile, midfielder Anthony Akumu is set to complete a move to South African giants Kaizer Chiefs after watching them play Highlands Park on Wednesday night.
Akumu decided against extending his contract in Zambia with Zesco United with Chiefs said to be interested. According to Soccer Laduma, Chiefs will look to offload Ghanaian James Kotei as they look to create room for the former Gor Mahia man.
–Olunga to move?
Harambee Stars forward Michael Olunga scored a hatrick against Yamaguchi in a Japanese J2 league match. PHOTO/Michael Olunga/Twitter
Meanwhile, striker Michael Olunga might make a move out of Japan having impressed in his first full season with Kashiwa Reysol last term being directly involved in 36 goals in 30 matches.
Olunga has been coy on his future at reysol who he helped get back to the Japanese J1 league, but his goal scoring antics might definitely tempt him away from Japan especially if a team in one of the top five European leagues comes calling.
“At the moment I am still a Kashiwa Reysol player, but we will see what the future looks like,” Olunga said in a past interview.
-Marcelo, Johannah find new homes
Harambee Stars attacking midfielder Eric Johannah wheels away from Uganda’s Mustafa Kizza during their international friendly match at the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani on September 8, 2019. PHOTO/Timothy Olobulu
Left back Erick ‘Marcelo’ Ouma and midfielder Eric Johannah have already joined their new Swedish clubs for pre-season ahead of the new campaign.
Marcelo signed a five-year contract with top tier side AIK from third tier Vassalund IF while Johannah crossed over to another second division side Jonkoping Sodra from IF Bromma.
Johannah struggled to earn playing time at Bromma last term despite enjoying a good start in his career with the club when they were in a top tier. He was limited to only a few substitute appearances but his move will breathe a new lease of life.
Ouma on the other hand has enjoyed a stellar two seasons with Vassalund and his performances have earned him a promotion to AIK which is the lower tier club’s feeder team.
-Omar searching for a new employer
Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama shares a joke with Aboud Omar during a training session at the National Rugby Centre in Marcoussis, France on June 11, 2019. PHOTO/Timothy Olobulu
Left back Aboud Omar is currently in the search for a new club after leaving Romanian side Sepsi OSK. Omar is said to be eyeing moves in either Belgium or Netherlands, where he has been for the better part of the Christmas holidays.
Omar has not been part of the Stars squad since the African Cup of Nations with most citing his past relationship with new boss Francis Kimanzi from their time together in Tusker FC.
