Wanyama harbours Stars W Cup dream as Spurs life starts

Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama believes he will play with the national team at the FIFA World Cup before he retires.

The 25 year-old midfielder who joined English side Tottenham Hotspurs told Citizen Digital despite delighting in many other achievements at club level, his dream of turning out for Stars at the quadrennial Mundial will check all his career objectives.

“It’s in my calculations that before I retire, I will represent Kenya at the World Cup. I have played football at different levels including the coveted UEFA Champions League, but it will be more fulfilling to play for my country in such a stage.

“It may appear difficult to qualify, but if you look how sometimes we miss it, you realise it is possible. A few mistakes that have cost us in the past can be avoided. With commitment and the right focus it will be done,” he former Southampton player stressed.

“It’s every player’s dream to play in the World Cup but it becomes more realistic when a quality team is developed over a time. There are many more Wanyamas, some even better out there but its only through a deliberate development program will they come through.

“Today it’s even easier to be exposed because even the local league is televised live,” the midfield powerhouse maintained.

He scoffed at claims he finds it difficult to work under local coaches when he turns for Stars.

“I personally have respect for every coach. This should be the case for every player, because if you don’t listen to the coach in charge then you have no business being in the team. It amounts to personal discipline without which one can go nowhere.

“Sometimes it calls for shift in mindset, when it comes to conditions in camp here. The fact is the levels are totally different but I always appreciate that my colleagues from the local league are also doing their best in the same environment. At the end of the day it’s not about me, it’s about Stars,” the former Glasgow Celtic title winning star added.

He underlined his mission in his first season at the north London giants Tottenham whom he joined from the Saints this summer.

“Spurs is a big club, everything calls for exceptional hard work. My target is to confirm a first team place on merit. Other things will come. It will be a nice feeling to feature in the Champions League again in a different environment.”

His elder brother and former Inter Milan player McDonald Mariga who accompanied him to Royal Media Services premises at Communication Centre, wants him to follow his footsteps and win the Champions League.

“I would be happy to watch him win it, not only Victor, any Kenyan player. It is a great achievement and everyone here will be proud of him.”

Mariga, currently playing for Italy’s Serie B U.S Latina Calcio, says he can’t rule out playing for an African club.

“There was that talk about South Africa, but for now I am in Italy. I have a six months contract and we will be discussing more on my future there once I return. However, I started my career in Kenya so playing in Africa is not a big deal.

“For Stars the last time I was called to the team I told them I wasn’t ready. I still feel I am not ready yet but I can return when I can offer my best,” revealed Mariga.

Wanyama trained with Spurs on Monday for the first time at the Enfield Training Centre, ahead of the 2016-2017 season.