Ex-Kenya No. 1 'Ottamax' backs Wanyama, says his experience vital for Harambee Stars

 Victor Mugubi Wanyama's rich experience will greatly boost the Kenyan football team, Harambee Stars, and play an integral role in the much-awaited AFCON 2027 tournament.

This is according to former Kenya number one goalkeeper Mathews Ottamax.

His remarks come in the wake of former Tottenham Hotspur midfield maestro Wanyama being left out of coach Benni McCarthy’s provisional squad for the twin friendlies against Chad.

The Stars were held to a goalless draw in the first match played over the weekend before securing a 2-1 win on Monday evening in Marrakech, Morocco.

“His presence alone in the team is enormous; just being in the dressing room will be very important and impactful to the rest of the players in the Harambee Stars squad,” Ottamax Owino explained.

“You can’t just have young lads only without such experience—they will not pull together. Wanyama has played for big teams and has travelled to many countries.

There are captains who, when given that mandate, won’t get the maximum respect from their teammates because they’ll say, ‘We’ve played with him, so he can’t tell me anything,’” Ottamax said.

Last month, a section of Kenyans took to social media to criticize Wanyama’s return to the team, but Ottamax believes Wanyama can excel—just like Cristiano Ronaldo is doing with the Portugal national team.

“That win against Spain shows that Ronaldo is so important to the Portugal team. He’s like the team driver who calls all the shots on the pitch because, with him, there’s punch and clear direction,” Ottamax enthused.