Kenyans hail first countryman to score goal at EPL

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Kenyan Victor Wanyama's goal for Southampton on Saturday against Swansea making him the first Kenyan to have scored a goal in the English Premier League has been hailed by a cross section of Kenyans.

Kenya's Commissioner for Sports, Gordon Oluoch, said Sunday Wanyama's talent display in the EPL is a testimony on the depth of talent that exists in the country yet goes untapped.

"That is another first for Kenyans. The onus now is upon sports federations to move with speed and alacrity to nurture talent that is abound in the country," Oluoch said.

Wanyama's first goal for his club at Liberty Stadium moved Southampton up to second place in the Premier League after he held off Ki Sung-yueng to fire Graziano Pelle's pass beyong Lukasz Fabianski with 10 minutes left.

Kenya's football legend Joe Kadenge said Wanyama's arrival at the EPL is comparable to that of Cote d'Ivoire's Didier Drogba whose sojourn at Chelsea turned the country's support towards the club all because of their favorite son.

"I have heard many people saying that they will switch their support to Southampton as a celebration of the first Kenyan to play in the prestigious league," said Kadenge, regarded as the best footballer Kenya has ever produced.

Several people who spoke to Xinhua expressed their desire to 'adopt' Southampton and support the team alongside other favorite clubs that most Kenyan football fans lend their allegiance to namely Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool.

The 23-year-old defensive midfielder who also captains the Kenya national team also became the first ever Kenyan player to score in the UEFA Champions League when he scored the first goal in his former club Celtic's historic 2-1 win over Barcelona on November 7, 2012.

In July 2013, Wanyama moved to Southampton for 12.5 million British pounds making him the most expensive player sold by a Scottish club. Endit

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