There is a quiet but growing question around The Hawthorns tonight. Will Kenya’s own Collins Sichenje make it back-to-back appearances for Charlton Athletic against West Bromwich Albion?
Over the weekend, in a tightly contested 1-1 draw against Southampton FC, Sichenje did not just make his debut. He announced himself. And he did it out of position.
Naturally a centre-back, the Kenyan defender was deployed as a right wing-back. A role demanding stamina, discipline, and tactical intelligence. Instead of looking uncomfortable, he looked reborn. He tracked runners, overlapped with intent, defended with authority. He even walked away with the Man of the Match award.
That detail matters.
Because when a defender adapts and thrives in a wide system role, it tells you something about his football IQ. It tells you about trust from the coaching staff. It tells you about versatility. And versatility wins minutes.
Now comes the next test: consistency.
West Brom present a different challenge. More physical duels. More aerial pressure. More direct transitions. If Sichenje starts again, the spotlight will not be about surprise. It will be about expectation. Can he replicate the intensity? Can he balance defensive solidity with attacking width once more?
For Kenyan fans watching from home, this is bigger than a lineup decision. It is about representation. It is about growth. It is about a defender redefining his identity on English soil.
The weekend was a statement.
Tonight could be confirmation.
Will he get the nod?
That answer will say a lot. Not just about Sichenje, but about how much trust he has already earned.
