Allan Wanga: The Locally Famous Hero Who Defined Kenyan Football Success

Allan Wanga is one of the strikers who lit up the Kenyan Premier League before earning big-money moves to African giants as well as clubs overseas and here is his football journey.

Allan Wanga is one of the finest strikers Kenya has ever produced following his goal scoring prowess at club level and for the Harambee Stars.

Wanga became an instant hit in his debut season in the Kenyan Premier League, earning him a move abroad and he never looked back.

The striker experienced success both at home and oversees with his goals guiding his teams to trophies in various competitions.

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Allan Wanga’s Early Life

Born Allan Wetende Wanga on November 26, 1985 in Kisumu, the striker comes from a football family as his father Frank Watende is a former footballer who played for AFC Leopards and Kisumu Posta.

The striker honed his skills while in primary school and later in different age group teams at Kisumu-based FIFA Kingdom and he would continue when he joined St Paul’s High School, Shikunga in Butere, Kakamega County.

In 2005, he joined Kisumu-based Lolwe FC, then playing in the second tier Nationwide League, but stayed there for three months and left and he had chances to join Agro-Chemicals and Sher Karuturi but moves did not materialize, and after almost a year out, he returned to Lolwa briefly.

He scored eight goals in 12 games during his stint at the club and this attracted interest from the Kenyan Premier League.

Allan Wanga’s Rise to Fame

In 2007, Allan Wanga was signed by Kenyan Premier League club Tusker FC, getting his first taste of top flight football. He scored 21 league goals in 23 matches to emerge as the league’s top scorer and help Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee’s team to that year’s Premier League title.

When Did Allan Wanga Move Abroad?

After his scintillating form for Tusker, clubs abroad took notice and in late 2007, scouts Angolan giants Petro Atletico came to watch him and decided to offer Allan Wanga a contract.

The striker would leave for Petro Atletico ahead of the 2008 season after he was identified as the perfect replacement for Manchester United-bound Manucho.

Allan Wanga spent two years at Petro and won the Angolan League title (Girabola) in his debut campaign before a fruitful second season and managed 19 goals in 35 league appearances for the club.

Allan Wanga the Journeyman

After his stint with Petro, Allan Wanga moved to Europe in January 2010 to join Azerbaijani giants FC Baku on an initial six-month deal before he extended his stay and managed 10 goals in 16 games which earned him a move to Vietnam.

In December 2010, Allan Wanga joined Vietnamese club Hoang Anh Gia Lai where he played for two seasons, making 22 league appearances and scoring 14 goals.

Allan Wanga’s Return to Kenya

After his two years in Vietnam, Allan Wanga returned to Kenya and signed for AFC Leopards just ahead of the 2012 season and formed part of a lethal attack that included Mike Baraza and Paul Were.

Allan Wanga spent two years at AFC Leopards and showed his qualities as the team finished second in the league in 2012 and won the FKF Cup in 2013, a season when he scored 11 Kenyan Premier League goals, to finish third in the Golden Boot race behind Jesse Were of Tusker (15) and KCB’s Jacob Keli (17).

Allan Wanga’s Stints at East African Giants

After leaving AFC Leopards, Allan Wanga came close to moving to South Africa but a deal fell through and he would join Sudanese giants El Merreikh instead for the 2014-15 season and won the league title as well as the 2015 CECAFA Kagame Cup trophy when he scored the winning goal.

In July 2015, Allan Wanga signed for Tanzanian side Azam FC on a one-year deal but he did not have a fruitful campaign, managing just 11 appearances and scoring three goals, before coming back home early over personal reasons.

Tusker Return for Allan Wanga

In June 2016, Allan Wanga returned to Tusker FC where he played until January 2018 when he joined Kakamega Homeboyz as a free agent. It is here where he played until his retirement from football in September 2021.

Allan Wanga’s Stint Journey Harambee Stars

At international level, Allan Wanga made 44 appearances for Harambee Stars, having made his debut in May 2007, and scored 22 goals with his memorable stint coming during the 2013 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup, when he guided Kenya to the title under ex-coach Adel Amrouche.

In July 2019, he retired from international football, days after being left out of the Africa Cup of Nations-bound squad by then coach Sebastien Migne.

Who is Allan Wanga’s Wife?

Allan Wanga is a family man and has been married to Kenyan TV reporter Brenda Mulinya Wanga since 2011, having first met in 2009. The couple has two children, a son named Jayden, and a daughter Adanna.

Allan Wanga’s Life After Football

Since his retirement, Allan Wanga has been working as a sports officer in the Kakamega County government but also serves as a football scout and conducts various clinics, trainings and talks to budding footballers.

Allan Wanga’s Net Worth

It is not easy to quantify Allan Wanga’s net worth as the details are not easily available but his transfer from Tusker to Petro in 2007 is reported to have been worth $15,000 (Ksh990,000 at the time) while his earnings during his two-year stint went into millions.

He similarly earned millions in Azerbaijani and Vietnam and according to Nation, he was paid Ksh5 million when he signed for El Merreikh and the same outlet reported that his deal at Azam was worth Ksh6 million.