Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Victor Wanyama has earned praise from Kenyans on social media after Harambee Stars held Mohamed Salah-less Egypt to a famous 1-1 draw in an Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier in Alexandria on Thursday.
Mahmoud Kahraba struck in the 42nd following a shot backpass from Lawrence Juma that goalkeeper Ian Otieno failed to deal with conclusively allowing the Egyptian forward to slot home.
Michael Olunga, however, drilled home from close range to cancel out Egypt’s lead when he pounced on substitute Cliff Nyakeya’s pull back from under the nose of Ahmed Fathy.
It was Wanyama's impressive midfield performance that had Kenyans talking though, with one claiming ‘Good game....motm Victor wanyama '.
Good game....motm Victor wanyama
— Jameswakiah (@jameswakia36) November 14, 2019 ">
Another said:
Wanyama overworked himself, he even played deeper as a defender, he was alert but defense failed him sometimes, maybe this is not premier league but Poch must think again before he decides to dispose #HarambeeStars #AFCON2021Q #EGYKEN — MUFC (@punditlanguage) November 14, 2019
Have you seen Wanyama vs Egypt today you can think he had always been playing...fantastic. — The Realist (@JohnstoneEugene) November 14, 2019
Today Wanyama played like sissoko,Son and Aurier all combined.what I know is that he is going to be back in active playing when Poch is sacked before the year ends.#EGYKEN — The Raccoons (@Hodgemanspecial) November 14, 2019
Wanyama really played well today. — Andrew langat (@andylangat) November 14, 2019
#EGYKEN Pochetino have you seen our Wanyama on the pitch? The pharaos have bowed in their own land. Big up Harambee Stars. — Mimimkenya (@Mimimkenya7) November 14, 2019
#EGYKEN proud of harambee stars.good performance wanyama played his best today.olunga with the goal. — Patrick Sigey (@kipsigeyy) November 14, 2019
Victor wanyama is actually playing good #HarambeeStars — Leri (@leri_sn7) November 14, 2019
Francis Kimanzi’s men now have limited time to recover as they arrive tomorrow for Monday’s fixture against Togo, who were beaten 1-0 by lowly-ranked Comoros.
A win for Stars on Monday night will put them in a pole position to secure a ticket to the 2021 continental finals in Cameroon for a the second time in a row ahead of next year’s away fixture to Comoros and home to Egypt.
The Pharaohs will also be on the road to Moroni the same day seeking to register their first win in the group against hosts Comoros.