Harambee Stars Defender Reveals What Helped Victor Wanyama Reach the Premier League with Relative Ease

Former Tusker FC captain Eugene Asike has explained why Victor Wanyama was uniquely able to break into the English Premier League, a feat that is far from easy for most Kenyan players.

Victor Wanyama remains the only Kenyan to have played in the English Premier League, following his successful stints with Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur, and Eugene Asike hopes to get to those levels one day.

The defensive midfielder started his career playing for Kenyan Premier League clubs Nairobi City Stars and AFC Leopards before joining the JMJ Youth Academy. His first venture into European football came in 2007 with Swedish club Helsingborg.

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Victor Wanyama’s first major professional contract was signed in 2008 with Belgian club Beerschot AC, where he played until 2011. He then moved to Scottish giants Celtic FC in 2011.

In 2013, Victor Wanyama made a significant move to the English Premier League, signing with Southampton FC for a then-record fee for a player sold by a Scottish club. He then signed with Tottenham Hotspur in 2016.

In 2020, Victor Wanyama moved to Major League Soccer (MLS), joining Canadian side CF Montréal, where he captained the team and won the Canadian Championship in 2021. He later had a brief spell with Dunfermline Athletic in the Scottish Championship in the 2024/25 season.

Harambee Stars defender Eugene Asike, who currently plays for FC Lancing while studying at Brighton University, said he aims to climb the ranks and compete in the top divisions.

Eugene Asike described playing in the Premier League as a dream come true, but emphasised that reaching that level is far from easy.

The former Tusker FC defender highlighted that Kenya’s FIFA ranking significantly impacts opportunities, particularly for players who have not featured in European clubs for several years. Harambee Stars are currently ranked 109th.

“Now that I’m there, it’s not like I have settled. I want to push hard and hopefully make it to the national league. The top level at the moment is tricky because of the work permit and the FIFA rankings,” Eugene Asike shared in an interview on the Tiki Taka Show.

“You need to accumulate certain points because when you look at Victor Wanyama’s journey, he started in Sweden, then went to Belgium, Scotland, so they see that for the last five years, you have been in Europe.

“So, it’s easier for such a person, but it is hard to come from Kenya and join the top level; there are points you need.”

Eugene Asike further noted that once he graduates, he hopes to mentor young Kenyan players, sharing crucial insights on navigating work permits, FIFA rankings, and European experience, key lessons he believes are essential for anyone aiming to reach the top level of European football.