AFCON 2019 Qualifier: Kenyan press laments Victor Wanyama absence against Ghana

The absence of Victor Wanyama in the upcoming AFCON 2019 qualifier against the Black Stars seems to have been a bitter blow to the Kenyan populace.

The Tottenham Hotspurs midfield dynamo was among the 38 players called up for the crucial 2019 AFCON qualifier but did not turn up.

The 27-year-old recently recovered from injury and sat on the bench of the English side in their league match over the weekend.

Despite the player returning to fitness, he has excluded himself from Sunday's crucial match against the four-time Africa champions.

In an interview with Kumasi based FOX FM, Sports Director of Kenyan based Capital FM, Alex Isobuke stated that the absence of the Tottenham Hotspurs midfielder leaves a big vacuum in the team.

“Yes it’s a major blow because remember that he is the leader of the team, and he has not played for Tottenham Hotspur this season in the English premier league because of injury”, Alex told FOX 97.9 FM.

Wanyama has recovered from his injury and could have played for his nation but he sat back for reasons better known to him, but Alex is hopeful of good performance from the available players.

“We however have so many players who play at his position but remember that Wanyama has been pivotal, but I think we have players like Johanna Omollo, Eric Ouma and even Eric Omollo who is going to fit in that position, but yes, we’re really going to miss him.

"We have Michael Olunga from Japan who is going to play the forward line but the team is going to miss the captain Victor Wanyama “, Alex lamented.

Kenya will hope to pick their first win against Ghana on Sunday after losing their opening qualifier 2-1 away to Sierra Leone in March under the then coach Stanley Okumbi.