Football: Wanga shuts door on Stars after 12-year duty
Football
By
Gilbert Wandera
| Jul 09, 2019
Kakamega Homeboyz striker Allan Wanga has announced his retirement from international football.
The announcement comes one month after he was dropped from the Harambee Stars squad that took part in the on-going Africa Cup of Nations finals in Egypt.
Wanga failed to make Sebastian Migne’s squad despite enjoying a great season that saw him score 17 goals in the Kenyan Premier League.
Wanga had been named in a 34 member squad to take part in the Africa Nations Championships (CHAN).
In his announcement yesterday, Wanga said he wants to pave way for other players to play for the national team saying he has given 12 years of his service to the team.
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“For 12 years, I have had the singular privilege and great honour to represent my country on the football pitch," said Wanga.
“Together with the support of the team, the management and fans, I believe I have represented my country to the best of my ability."
“It’s now time for me to pave way for other players who I believe will embody the spirit of Harambee as I trust I did.”
Wanga added that his retirement will give him more time to concentrate on his job at the county government of Kakamega and his club, Homeboyz.
He works at the County Government as Head of the Sports Department, a position he has held since last year.
“I wish the national team the very best in their future endeavours and now transition from the pitch to the terrace as the team’s biggest cheerleader,” he concluded.
Despite having been dropped from the national team, Wanga still found time to travel to Egypt to support Harambee Stars during the Nations Cup.
Wanga began his career in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) in 2007 with Tusker and made history by emerging the top scorer in his premier league debut.
He also made history the following year by becoming the first Kenyan to feature in the Angolan league after signing for Petro Atletico.
He then moved to Eastern Europe and ended up in Vietnam before returning home to join AFC Leopards.
He has also played in Tanzania for Azam and in Sudan for El-Mereikh before returning home for the second time, to join Tusker.
After one year with the brewers, he left to join his current club Kakamega Homeboyz.