Victor Wanyama: CHAN showed the untapped potential of Kenyan football
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Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 29.08.25. | 09:08
Wanyama believes the performance has rewritten the narrative about local football.
Former Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama has hailed Kenya’s showing at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), saying the tournament proved that the FKF Premier League has immense untapped potential.
Kenya, against all odds, lit up Group A, labelled the “group of death” before a ball was kicked. The Harambee Stars stunned giants DR Congo, Morocco and Zambia, while holding Angola to a draw, to finish top of the group unbeaten with 10 out of a possible 12 points.
Though their fairytale run ended in the quarterfinals with a heartbreaking penalty shootout loss to Madagascar after a 1-1 draw, Wanyama believes the performance has rewritten the narrative about local football. Madagascar went on to beat Sudan and set up a CHAN final date with Morocco, who knocked out Senegal.
Reflecting on the Harambee Stars’ spirited campaign, Wanyama said Kenya’s local league is like a “rough diamond” waiting to be polished.
“People say our league is weak, but we have seen with proper support from all stakeholders, we can go very far. The performance at CHAN proved that our local players are capable of competing with the very best,” Wanyama said.
The former Tottenham Hotspur and Montreal Impact midfielder urged fans, sponsors and stakeholders to rally behind the FKF Premier League, which kicks off its 2025/26 season on September 20.
“With the new season starting soon, fans should turn up in numbers and back their teams. I also urge sponsors to come on board and support the league so that we can once again attract players from outside Kenya,” he added.
Wanyama also reserved special praise for the Kenyan fans who packed the stands in Nairobi throughout CHAN, lifting Harambee Stars to unexpected heights.
“The fans have been incredible. They played a huge role in pushing the team forward and were a great source of motivation.”
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