Football Kenya Federation has attracted players with Kenyan roots to represent Harambee Stars. However, Tenuka Ranaweera chose to play for Sri Lanka due to competition and family ties. He aims to help Sri Lanka qualify for the Asian Cup after making his senior debut last year.
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has successfully attracted players with Kenyan roots, urging them to choose Harambee Stars over their birth countries. Notable examples include Daniel Anyembe, Jonah Ayunga, Adam Wilson, and Alfred Scriven, all of whom play for the national team after representing other countries previously. Conversely, the Kenyan football landscape has also seen some players opting to represent their ancestral nations, notably South Sudan and Somalia.
Tenuka Ranaweera stands out for choosing to represent Sri Lanka instead of Kenya. Born and raised in Mombasa, Tenuka, whose father hails from Sri Lanka, made this decision in 2022 by joining the Sri Lankan U20 team and quickly earned a promotion to the senior squad. After six matches, he showcased his prowess, ultimately debuting against Cambodia.
In an exclusive interview, Tenuka expressed his reasoning, citing the fierce competition for spots in the Harambee Stars and the familial connection to Sri Lanka. He stated, “When the opportunity to play for Sri Lanka arose, I did not think twice about it… Much as I wanted to play for Kenya, I considered the long route of making it to the team.”
He also mentioned issues such as age cheating and unexplained omissions from junior national teams as contributing factors for his choice. Additionally, the attractions of better football infrastructure in Sri Lanka influenced his decision, particularly in a country ranked 200th in FIFA standings at the time.
Since joining the senior national team, Tenuka has set his sights on helping Sri Lanka qualify for the Asian Cup, especially after the team secured its spot in the group stages. He is eager to help contribute points during March qualifiers against Thailand and Chinese Taipei, citing, “My dream is to help the country qualify for the 2027 Asian Cup against the odds.”
Tenuka Ranaweera’s choice to represent Sri Lanka underscores the complexities faced by players with dual nationalities in football. Against intense competition for spots in Harambee Stars and influenced by familial ties and frustrations in youth representation, he saw an opportunity with Sri Lanka. His aspirations to assist in the country’s qualification for the Asian Cup highlight his commitment and pride in his heritage.
Original Source: www.mozzartsport.co.ke
