This archive report was first published on 22 July 2019.
Kenyan Footballer Allan Wanga Opens Up on AFCON Snub, Marriage, and Next Steps ¶
Kenyan footballer Allan Wanga has made headlines in recent weeks with his decision to hang up his boots at the age of 34. In an interview with Standard, Wanga revealed that he felt bad about being left out of the Harambee Stars squad for the AFCON tournament in Egypt, but denied that this was the reason for his retirement.
Wanga, who was the top scorer in the Kenya Premier League, admitted that he felt he deserved to be on the team, but respected the coach's decision. He even went to Egypt to support the team, showing his commitment to the sport.
However, Wanga clarified that his decision to retire was not due to the snub, but rather because he felt it was the right time. He wanted to avoid being seen as a player who was holding on too long, and instead retire on his own terms.
Wanga also spoke about his personal life, including his marriage to TV reporter Brenda Mulinya. The couple met in 2009, when Wanga was playing for Harambee Stars and Mulinya was covering the match for a TV station. They became friends on Facebook and eventually got married two years later.
Wanga's biggest struggle in his marriage has been being away from home for long stretches of time, particularly when he was based in Vietnam in 2011. However, he credits his wife with keeping their love alive through good communication and making small occasions special.
Wanga, who has been married for eight years, advises young men to settle down early, as it gives them focus and allows them to work hard for their families. He also plans to focus on nurturing talent after his retirement, and is working on building a sports academy in Kakamega County.
Source: Standard Digital, published on July 22, 2019.
