Former Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama has urged young footballers to prioritise discipline, respect, fitness and an understanding of the game if they are to succeed in football.The former midfielder, along with his elder brother, McDonald Mariga, held the first recruitment trials for the Wanyama Football Academy in Nairobi on Saturday, targeting players in the Under-12, Under-15 and Under-17 age groups.##NAJAVA_MECA_9928331##Speaking to the youngsters after the opening session, Wanyama emphasised the importance of discipline and respect, while encouraging the players to develop into well-rounded footballers.“You have played well and to be successful, we need to have discipline and respect for each other. You have not played a rough game,” Wanyama told the youngsters, as captured by SPM Sports.He also outlined the key qualities the academy will assess as the trials progress, including passing, agility and fitness.Yanga's Duke Abuya opens up on three side hustles outside of football“Next time, it will be more structured, and we will look at a player from the beginning. Passing, agility and fitness. So, if you have all those in the next training, we will look at them,” he added.The former Southampton and Tottenham midfielder stressed that technical ability alone is not enough, urging the youngsters to understand how to play within a team.“You must have all those and be an all-round player. The passing, agility and fitness must be good and from there, how well can you gel in the team and play with the rest?” he said.TACTICAL ANALYSIS: AFC Leopards smart business in transfer market that solved biggest tactical flawWanyama also advised the budding footballers to focus on making the right decisions on the pitch rather than trying to impress by dribbling past opponents at every opportunity.“Football is not so difficult. It is understanding the game, knowing when to pass and dribble and respecting the team structure. Those are the things we are looking at, not someone running all over or dribbling past everyone. There is always a time and place to express yourself as a player,” he added.The academy is part of Wanyama and Mariga’s efforts to identify and nurture the next generation of Kenyan football talent.Malkia Strikers eye Algeria scalp as CAVB African Nations Championship enters quarter finals