Gor Mahia’s Austin Odhiambo Ready For Taste Of Senior Duty After Latest Harambee Stars Call Up

If at first, you do not succeed, try then try again. Everyone in pursuit of a goal knows that phrase too well.

Over the last few days, Gor Mahia’s creative midfielder Austin Odhiambo has turned that into a personal mission after receiving a late call up to the Harambee Stars provisional squad named ahead of friendlies against Qatar and South Sudan set to take place during the September international window.

In the initial squad, the midfielder, who hit form at the right time in K’Ogalo’s march to a record-extending 20th title last season, was not included in the team named.

A slight source of disappointment.

But as fate would have it, the former AFC Leopards man found his way to the now 26-man squad.

This time though, Odhiambo, who lifted his first league title last season and has received provisional callups before, is keen to make the latest one last a bit more than the previous ones where he has never gotten a chance to make his debut for the senior national team.

Having been part of the Rising Stars team which scooped silver in the 2019 edition of the Cecafa tournament and the U23 side that played in Ethiopia back in 2021, Odhiambo has his eyes focused on smashing the only remaining challenge – getting a senior cap.

“It has been a while since I last received a callup to the national team and of course it is always a good feeling because you get closer to getting a chance of representing the national team.

I was disappointed when the first squad came out and I was not included but that quickly changed when I was handed the late call,” the attacking midfielder told SportPesa News.

“It is a privilege because there are many players but only a few get the chance to make the squad, so it is a good feeling,” he added.

Having recently missed out on selection opportunities, Odhiambo credited his desire to improve daily as the reason behind his latest call and has vowed to put his front foot forward in his bid to make the final cut.

“Personally, what has been driving me is the desire to improve daily. I may not know why the chose me but I have been working on myself.  

Now, I just need to take my chance when I get the opportunity and to use it well to prove that I belong in the team,” the player vowed.

Odhiambo was scouted by AFC Leopards in 2016 by then AFC Cubs coach Boniface Ambani and had a very good outing in the KPL under-20 football tournament that was staged at the Camp Toyoyo grounds in Jericho Estate, Nairobi.

He struggled to make the team at first, but he eventually broke through in the 2019 season, which earned him a Harambee Stars provisional call up before joining Gor in 2020 where he went on to win his maiden title.

Now, the youngster is on the verge of another first in his career.

Harambee Stars face Qatar and South Sudan on 7 and 12 September respectively.

Provisional Squad

Goalkeepers: Patrick Matasi (Kenya Police FC), Ian Otieno (Zesco, Zambia), Bryne Odhiambo (KCB)

Defenders: Collins Sichenje (AIK, Sweden), Joseph Okumu (Stade Reims, France), Brian Mandela (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Johnstone Omurwa (Estrela, Portugal), David Ochieng (Kenya Police), Daniel Anyembe (Viborg, Denmark), Eric Ouma (AIK, Sweden), Amos Nondi (Ararat, Armenia), Abud Omar (Kenya Police), Clarke Oduor (Bradford City)

Midfielders: Richard Odada Philadelphia Union, USA/ Player currently on loan at Denmark's Aalborg), Teddy Akumu (Sagan Tosu, Japan), Kenneth Muguna (Kenya Police), Timothy Ouma (IF Elfsborg, Sweden), Duke Abuya (Singida Fountain Gate, Tanzania), Abdallah Hasan (Bandari), Ayub Masika (Nanjing City Football Club, China), Alfred Scriven (IL Hødd, Norway), Austin Odhiambo (Gor Mahia)

Forwards: Moses Shummah (Kakamega Homeboyz), Elvis Rupia (Kenya Police), Michael Olunga (Al Duhail, Qatar), Masud Juma (Al-Jabalain FC, Saudi Arabia)