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The Bristol City defender traveled back to the UK on Sunday morning just a week after earning his first call up to the Kenya camp.
Bristol City defender Zak Vyner had to travel back to the United Kingdom on Sunday morning after failing to acquire his Kenyan passport on time.
Vyner, who recently accepted a call-up to the national team, was expected to feature for Stars against Burundi and Ivory Coast, but his documentation could not be completed on time for him to be able to feature for his father’s country of birth.
This has left Kenya with no choice but to draft in Malawi-based star Clyde Senaji into the side to fill in for Vyner, who would have expected to play a peripheral role had he been allowed to, especially in the absence of Joseph Okumu, who has been deemed not fit enough to play.
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09:31 - 08.06.2024
Harambee Stars coach explains why Zak Vyner, Tobias Knost missed Burundi game
Kenya struggled in their World Cup qualifier as key defenders were unexpectedly sidelined with coach Firat hinting at administrative issues.
Following Kenya’s 1-1 draw with Burundi on Friday, Firat appeared to aim a dig at Football Kenya Federation for failing to help complete the documentation of Vyner and Tobias Knost on time.
"We did all our tactical training with Zak Vyner. If Zak had been on the field today, we would have won. Sometimes people need to focus less on what's happening on the field and more on doing their jobs properly.
“Things that seem simple can be very complex here in Kenya," he noted, casting a shadow of blame on unnamed officials involved in the team's administrative processes.
Their addition to the team was expected to bolster the Harambee Stars' defensive line by adding both depth and quality.
The complications arising from their registration after changing nationalities seem to have played a role in their non-participation.
This bureaucratic hiccup will now prevent him from featuring against Ivory Coast, which is scheduled for Tuesday at the same venue.
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18:30 - 09.06.2024
Malawi-based defender earns late call-up to Harambee Stars squad ahead of Ivory Coast clash
The experienced defender will offer Harambee Stars coach Engi Firat options in defence as he plots a way of dealing with Ivory Coast’s threat in Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier.
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