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Okocha: Victor Wanyama has done Africa proud


Nigerian football legend Jay Jay Okocha on Friday praised Kenyan star and Tottenham midfielder Victor Wanyama saying that he is doing a great job for Africa.

The football legend is in the country for a four day tour courtesy of the Barclays Kenya Open.

“Wanyama is doing a great job for us Africans, because what people don’t realise is that when you are out there playing in Europe they don’t refer to you as a player from Kenya but as an African before you are reminded where you are coming from. So I’m delighted he is flying our flag very high there and automatically that will open more doors for more Kenyan players,” said Okocha.

He added that he was delighted that the good work he put in during his time in the English Premier League is being continued by the Tottenham midfielder.

Okocha challenged the Football Kenya Federation to put up better youth structures that will enable the country produce more Wanyamas.

He said that lack of proper structures in Africa has dragged the continent behind, contributing to poor performance by the national teams.

HIGH STANDARD

“The only opportunity scouts have is watching our national teams play but unfortunately because Kenya has never taken part in the World Cup that limits their opportunity of getting more players out there,” he said.

He advised Kenya to build a strong national football team or bridge that gap which he thinks they should have more players playing in Europe because the standards there are high than what we have here in Africa.

The Harambee Stars captain who is the country was on Thursday rested by national coach Stanley Okumbi during the international friendly match against Uganda to let new players see action at this level.

In the match that was played in Machakos, China-based striker Michael Olunga, who was making his 23rd appearance for the national team, scored in the 35th minute.

Hassan Waiswa squeezed in an equalizer for Cranes in the 87th minute crowning a great debut at the senior level.

On Sunday, Wanyama will lead Harambee Stars in another friendly match against the Democratic Republic of Congo at the same venue.