The 33-year-old Wanyama had hinted in a recent interview that the former South Africa striker, who took charge of Harambee Stars until the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), had tried to convince him to rescind his retirement decision and play for the national team again.
Wanyama’s last appearance for Kenya came in November 2020, before he quit the national team in 2021 after he was overlooked for selection, this time for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers. A statement from Football Kenya Federation (FKF) confirmed the return of Wanyama for the two friendly matches that will be played in Morocco.
“Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has named a provisional squad ahead of the upcoming international friendlies against Chad, scheduled for June 7th and June 10th, 2025. The friendlies are set to be held in Morocco,” read part of the statement seen by Flashscore.
The headline inclusion is the return of veteran midfielder Victor (Wanyama), who has come out of international retirement to rejoin the national team setup.
Wanyama return to Kenya squad draws mixed reaction
The former Celtic, Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur man captained the national side at the Africa Cup of Nations in 2019, when Kenya finished third in their group behind eventual finalists Algeria and Senegal.
Wanyama made his debut for Harambee Stars in May 2007, aged just 15, in a friendly against Nigeria, and he went ahead to play in all six of Kenya’s 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
In September 2021, after being repeatedly overlooked for selection during the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Wanyama announced his retirement from international football, marking the end of his 14-year duty.
Wanyama became the first ever Kenyan player to score in the UEFA Champions League when he scored the first goal in Celtic’s 2-1 win over Barcelona on November 7th, 2012.
On July 11th, 2013, Wanyama moved to Premier League club Southampton for £12.5 million, making him the most expensive player sold by a Scottish club at the time, surpassing the £9.5 million Russian club Spartak Moscow paid for Aiden McGeady in 2010.
In summer 2016, he moved to Southampton’s Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur, where he stayed until March 2020, when he signed with Major League Soccer club Montreal Impact. In March 2025, Wanyama returned to Scotland to play for Dunfermline Athletic under his former Celtic manager, Neil Lennon.
Meanwhile, the squad features a balanced mix of seasoned campaigners and exciting new talent, as McCarthy continues to shape his team. Among the notable inclusions are Kenneth Nyamwaya and Swaleh Pamba, both earning their maiden call-ups to the senior national team.
Conspicuously missing from the squad is lead striker and captain Michael Olunga, with McCarthy naming Moses Shumah of Kakamega Homeboyz FC, Beja Nyamawi of Bandari FC, and Emmanuel Osoro of FC Talanta in the striking department.
The return of Wanyama means he will be available for Kenya’s next 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Gambia and Seychelles in September. Kenya will host the two nations from September 1st to 8th.
Kenya are lying fourth in Group F of the qualifiers after amassing six points from six matches. Ivory Coast are leading on 16 points, Gabon second on 15, while Burundi are third with 10 points.
This will mark McCarthy’s second camp with the Harambee Stars, and the upcoming friendlies will offer a key opportunity to assess the squad’s depth and readiness as Kenya builds toward the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in August.
Players are expected to report to camp on Friday, June 2, 2025, to begin preparations for the two matches.
Provisional Squad:
Goalkeepers: Faruk Shikhalo (Bandari FC), Sepstianos Wekesa (Kariobangi Sharks FC), Brian Bwire (Polokwane City FC).
Defenders: Siraj 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).
Midfielders: Victor 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).
Forwards: Moses Shumah (Kakamega Homeboyz FC), Beja Nyamawi (Bandari FC), Emmanuel Osoro (FC Talanta).
