Kenya’s coach Sébastien Migné has been forced to figure out for an alternative for Victor Wanyama after Tottenham Hotspur refused to release the midfielder for this weekend’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at home to Ghana.
The North London side showed reluctance to allow the Harambee Stars travel back home because he just returned from an injury layoff. Last Sunday, Wanyama made the Spurs team for the first time since injuring his knee in pre-season but remained on the bench as they lost to Watford.
A long trip to East Africa for the massive encounter with Ghana has been a matter of concern for Spurs who have now had their wish granted.
An unhappy Harambee Stars coach Migné confirmed Wanyama’s unavailability but chided Spurs for their refusal to allow his captain travel for assessment by the national team’s medical team.
“He [Wanyama] is recovering from injury as we all know and it is too late to even have him in the squad.
“We cannot risk his future but I would like us to handle such issues professionally next time. Spurs goalkeeper, who is also injured, was in France being assessed by the National team doctors for instance,” Migné said after conducting his side’s third training session at the Kenya School of Monetary Studies Wednesday morning.
Alongside Wanyama, 13 other players have been dropped from the provisional 38-man squad to host Ghana at MISC Kasarani.
Influential forwards Michael Olunga and Ovella Ochieng, as well as midfielders Eric Johanna and Johanna Omollo and Bandari duo of Abdalla Hassan and Faruk Shikalo all made the cut.
The Kenya-Ghana game kicks off at 1300 GMT on Saturday.
Kenya’s final squad:
Goalkeepers: Patrick Matasi, Farouk Shikalo, Ian Otieno.
Defenders: Philemon Otieno, Jockins Atudo, Dennis Odhiambo, Joash Onyango, Benard Ochieng, Abud Omar, David Ochieng, Eric Ouma, Joseph Okumu, Musa Mohammed, David Owino.
Midfielders: Francis Kahata, Abdallah Hassan, Anthony Akumu, Eric Johanna, Ismail Gonzalez, Johanna Omollo.
Forwards: Piston Mutamba, Jesse Were, Michael Olunga, Ovella Ochieng.
