When Wrexham defender will play for Harambee Stars after first traumatic experience in Kenya
Reading Time: 3min | Mon. 23.03.26. | 20:04
Despite earning a call-up for the upcoming FIFA Series friendlies set to start this Friday in Kigali, Vyner was absent from the Stars’ first public training session at Nyayo National Stadium on Monday, 23 March
Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has shed light on when fans can expect to see English-born Wrexham defender Zak Vyner in action for the national team.
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Despite earning a call-up for the upcoming FIFA Series friendlies set to start this Friday in Kigali, Vyner was absent from the Stars’ first public training session at Nyayo National Stadium on Monday, 23 March.
Earlier this month, McCarthy travelled to England as part of a concerted effort to convince diaspora players, including Vyner, to commit to the Harambee Stars.
Vyner’s first call-up came under then-coach Engin Firat in May 2024.
At that time, he travelled to the team’s training camp in Malawi but was unable to make his international debut due to delays in processing his Kenyan passport and nationality switch paperwork.
The late Firat had expressed frustration with the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) over the administrative delays, noting that tactical preparations had been completed with Vyner.
After it became clear Vyner would also miss the subsequent match against Ivory Coast, he returned to the UK to begin pre-season preparations with his former club, Bristol City.
McCarthy has, however, confirmed that he has since re-engaged Vyner, and the player remains optimistic about representing Kenya despite his previous experience.
“We had conversations, and obviously, I think for a player like Zak, his last experience was not the best when he came here,” McCarthy told reporters.
The South African tactician explained that Vyner will be eligible once he secures his Kenyan passport.
“When a player is traumatised, there’s no easy way into it, but he is optimistic. He wants to play for the national team and is getting all the paperwork in order so that he can get his Kenyan passport. That’s when we will see him back,” McCarthy said.
He added that his recent visit to the UK was primarily to convince Vyner to commit to the Harambee Stars, and suggested that fans may not see the lanky defender in action this month.
“But I think this trip was just about trying to convince him to come and join, because he can play for Kenya, and he initially showed that he wants to come and play,” McCarthy explained.
The former UEFA Champions League winner with FC Porto highlighted the value Vyner brings to the squad, particularly his experience in the English Championship.
“Experience, he is an experienced player. We went to watch him in the second-last match against Hull City; unfortunately, they lost,” he said when asked what Vyner adds to the national team.
McCarthy also stressed that Vyner’s presence would be a learning opportunity for locally based players.
“So that is very exciting, to have a player like Zak Vyner coming, with Championship experience, adding to the squad that we already have.
A lot of players in the local leagues can learn from having players like him,” he said.