Southampton midfielder Victor Wanyama hopes good run in EPL helps boost national team's fortunes
Nairobi, Oct 10 (IANS) Southampton midfielder Victor Wanyama of Kenya believes his award last week as English Premier League African Player of the Month for September, will help inspire his national team, Kenya, when they face 2015 Africa Cup of nations hosts Morocco in an international friendly Monday.
Wanyama, who is in Nairobi together with other members of the 'Harambee Stars', said Kenya has much to lose in the game and must take it seriously, reports Xinhua.
"We have been kicked out of the Africa Nations Cup campaign, but these international friendlies are important to gauge the players and also boost the country's FIFA rankings," he said here Thursday.
"There are many African players in England who are better than me. So winning this award is a big achievement for me, it also shows that when I guide 'Harambee Stars', we have a champion and the opponents can respect us."
Wanyama has also called upon the national team head coach Bobby Williamson to consider recalling Ajaccio striker Dennis Oliech to the team.
Williamson has said that Oliech was not part of his plans and was only at the camp to train with them and keep himself fit.
The French Ligue 2 striker has said he still has something to offer the national team, but the coach is not ready to use him.
"I hope we will not have too many changes in future and more importantly we need a youth system which makes it possible for the young players to play at this level. But we also need to have steel in the team and that can only be provided by the experienced players," said Wanyama.
"Whether Oliech will be recalled is a matter that the boss (coach) will have to decide, it is not up to us players," he added.
Morocco will host the 2015 Africa Nations Cup and have since been exempted from the qualification campaign. However, they must keep fit and have arranged a number of friendly matches.