Former Kenyan international Victor Wanyama has come out to narrate the challenges he has faced as a world-class professional footballer.

Speaking to BBC, the decorated midfield maestro intimated that he has encountered racial slurs from spectators on and off the pitch.

The former Harambee stars captain recalled that there were instances where the spectators were making monkey chants whenever he would touch the ball.

“There was a time we went to play in Russia, and whenever I touched the ball they were making monkey chants, and that was wrong, not only me but Sony as well, I was like Sony is not black but they were still making monkey chants at us, but it didn’t bother us from the game,” he stated.

He affirmed that relevant stakeholders should take note of the matter and consequently put measures to end discrimination in the games.

“We thought that if there were measures out there then the people who were discriminating us punish those people who were doing that to us, then they should face hefty fines or get kicked out of the game,” he added.

Wanyama criticizes Laurentiis

At the same time, Wanyama criticized Napoli FC President Aurelio De Laurentiis for saying he will not sign African players because of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

“I don’t think that’s right what he is trying to say because for me I think he should respect the countries, because as the player when you are called you have to honour your country, but when its time to play for your country you should get permission, and therefore for me that was wrong and he should apologize,” he said.

Laurentiis had pledged not to sign any more footballers from Africa unless they signed a waiver preventing them from participating in AFCON.

“Enough of African players or they should give up playing the African Cup. I won’t buy any more of them for this reason. We pay the salaries to send them around to play for the world in the middle of the league championship!” he stated.

Wanyama’s stint

Wanyama is the first Kenyan to ever play and score in the UEFA Champions League when he scored the opening goal in a match against his former club Celtic FC and Barcelona. He has played in both the Premier and Major soccer leagues.

At the start of his career, Wanyama starred for the Kenyan national team since his debut in 2007, which came when he was only 15 years old.

He also captained the Harambee Stars squad at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

On 11 July 2013, Wanyama joined Premier League club Southampton and in doing so became the first ever Kenyan to grace the topmost league.

On 17 August 2013, Wanyama made his Southampton debut in a 1-0 away win over West Bromwich Albion. Injuries hampered his first season, but he nevertheless made 24 appearances in 2013/14 under the guidance of Mauricio Pochettino.

The 34-year-old playing career has been littered with a truckload of trophies while playing for some of Europe’s premier clubs – Real Madrid, Juventus, AC Milan, Chelsea and Napoli.