Conversation with Victor Wanyama

Victor Wanyama

Victor Wanyama: Football powerhouse

7th November 2012, Celtics face the seemingly indomitable Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League. Before the game began everyone, from the commentators to that one personal friend who can’t seem to shut up about football, predicted that the star-studded Spanish club would dominate the match. The game started off with the Barcelona testing the Celtics defence rather intensely. But In the thick of it, under all this pressure from the savvy Barcelona, Celtics fought back, and Barcelona conceded a corner kick. It was swiftly taken, and the ball found Wanyama soaring above the Barcelona defence where he headed it right to the back of the net! The goal was remarkable and unforeseen! It knocked Barcelona off their equilibrium! And just like that Wanyama changed the narrative. The world woke up to who Victor is! He made history that day by becoming the first Kenyan to score in the champion’s league.

White Collar got a chance to converse with the World class Victor Wanyama, and find out his drive and philosophy

Who is Victor Wanyama?

Haha, wow! I like to think I’m easy going and polite. I look at myself and see a young Kenyan who loves football. Nothing too extraordinary there.

What was your childhood like and who were your role models?

My childhood was normal. I grew up in a nice African family. We were close and so there were plenty of opportunities to learn from each other. One of the lessons that stood out most in our family came from our parents. They taught us to be always close and look out for each other.

Who were your role models?

As I developed my love for football my role models were Paul Scholes and Roy Keane. I always watched their matches and aspired to be like them.

Looking back were there any traits in your early life that signalled a career in football?

Yes, for me my childhood was all football, football and football. It’s all I thought about. All that I wanted and so I started working on it very early.

How did you first encounter football?

As everyone knows my dad was a Kenyan footballer as well and he played for the Kenyan National team. My family is a sports family, my brother McDonald Mariga is also an outstanding footballer and the estate where I lived and grew up every kid was playing football.

Tell us about your Education background

I went to St Peter’s primary school and after that, I attended Kamkunji High school before I went to Europe to pursue my career.

Do you feel education adequately equipped you for life, work and business?

Yes, school gave me an opportunity to pursue sports by allowing me to be a part of the school team and even after football I can take care of myself because of the skills I got both in school and from my family.

What’s your secret to building a career that spans over 12 years?

There’s no secret or shortcut. You have to work hard and remain focused on your goals. It may sound simple but it’s actually very hard.

How do you stay motivated?

Football is my passion and I enjoy doing it every day. I also think about all everyone who believes in me. There are over 50k spurs fans that come to watch me play every weekend. The joy of playing for the team and for the fans keeps me going.

What a does a legacy mean to you? What legacy do you want to leave?

I have always done my best to go out there and show the world what I’m made of. Because I have gotten that far I can open doors for the rest. Being the 1st Kenyan to play in the EPL is a legacy in itself. Also having inspired young kids from Africa to reach my level is something I really appreciate. I hope that they get to where I am and even do better than me.

You are part of a team, Tottenham Hotspur. How does one balance teamwork and being an outstanding individual?

I believe Teamwork comes first then individual brilliance comes later.

What’s been the lowest point of your career and how did you get through it?

When I got injured last season and missed a majority of matches. It was really tough on me but I got through it by being determined and doing my best to be back to doing what I love as soon as I could.

Victor Wanyama in action

What’s been the highest point of your career?

Scoring and beating Barcelona with Celtic. They are football giants and beating them taught me that anything is possible.

How can technology be used to improve performance?

It’s easy to know how opponents play, get to know their weaknesses and also one is able to monitor his performance and improve on his weaknesses.

How do we use sports in the fight against unemployment?

Sports is now a form of employment, you don’t have to be a player to be employed e.g. being a coach, steward and also referee

What is your take on doping?

Doping is cheating and it's very wrong for anyone to be involved, I’m happy Kenya established The Anti-Doping Agency through Anti-Doping Act 2016 to fight the vice.

What would you advise up and coming footballers? What does the future of football in Africa look like to you?

My advice to them is to be hardworking, discipline and never to give up the rest will fall into place. The future of African football is

bright, more and more footballers are now playing with the biggest teams in Europe. Recently Brighton signed footballer Percy Tau. I’d like to congratulate him.

How should young athletes position themselves to get endorsements?

Be a good role model to society on top of the talent you have.