“Please have some respect for Victor Wanyama. He’s a local icon and somebody who has put Kenya’s name higher on the global map.”

Those were the words of Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy to ever-demanding Kenyan football fans after Wanyama’s recent inclusion in the 25-man squad for the upcoming international friendly matches against Chad in Morocco on June 7 and June 10 sparked heavy criticism from a section of fans.

The Dunfermline Athletic FC (Scotland) midfielder had last week accepted McCarthy’s request to come out of his four-year international retirement and help him in the rebuilding process ahead of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) and 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) to be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.

However, the former Harambee Stars captain, who previously featured for English Premier League sides Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur as well as Scottish giants Celtic, abruptly withdrew from the team due to ‘personal reasons’. The team held their first training session on Monday.

Wanyama last featured for the Stars during a 2022 Afcon qualifier against Comoros on November 15, 2020, before calling it a day on September 27, 2021, after falling out with the former regime.

But based on his experience, McCarthy feels the former Beerschot AC and CF Montréal star, who enrolled for a Uefa B Diploma course in Northern Ireland last month, still has a lot to offer to the team.

The Bafana Bafana legend is not surprised with the recent spate of criticism of Wanyama’s return, as he was once in the same situation.

“It’s unfortunate Victor Wanyama couldn’t make it due to family matters. So, it’s not a question of the player not wanting to come. He’s a local icon, and I know I have been through that. In South Africa, I never had the send-off that I wanted after everything I did for the country,” said McCarthy.

“So, Victor Wanyama is somebody that this country has to respect. When it comes to football, he’s one player that put Kenya’s name higher on the global map with his exploits at Celtic, Southampton, and Tottenham Hotspur, together with Michael Olunga and Mariga (McDonald). For me to call him back to the team, it’s a chance for younger players to learn from such a player who has achieved a lot at the top level.”

McCarthy also went ahead to defend the inclusion of Stellenbosch (South Africa) defender Brian Mandela and Central Coast Mariners (Australia) William Lenkupae, who have had little playing time at their respective clubs.

“I want to have a look at these players that I have selected and see what they can do in the national team as we prepare for Chan. I don’t want to go there and participate and then lose every game. So, for me, I have to look at all angles and pick a team that I think is strong and has a little bit of experience but with players that, when you bring in the young players, they can learn from them,” said the former Manchester United assistant coach.

“I felt this camp is a good opportunity for players like Wilson (William), who I think was very important in our last two World Cup qualifying matches, to keep himself involved with the national team. Since his return from international duty, he’s not played a lot of football as he would have liked for his club. He’s a fantastic player, and I would want to keep him around for 2027 Afcon. It’s the same situation with Mandela at Stellenbosch. He didn’t play as many games as he would have liked. So, this will be a good opportunity for him to marshal the young players, and they can learn from his experience and him being around. We want to build a really good and strong squad for the upcoming games and 2027 Afcon.”

Asked about the exclusion of Rising Stars players who participated at the U20 Afcon in Egypt, McCarthy said: “The U20 team was away for three weeks for an international camp, playing hard in a major tournament, and as young as they are, they need a break. I would love to give young players an opportunity, but they also have to rest.”