By Brian Magiri
The men’s football national team Harambee Stars has been dealt a huge blow ahead of their crucial back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifiers against Cameroon.
This is after the 23/24 Football Kenya Federation Premier League Most Valuable Player Austin Odhiambo, who plies his trade at record Kenyan champions Gor Mahia, picked up a knee injury in team training.
In a telephone interview with SportPesa Blog, Odhiambo acknowledged the injury, stating it doesn’t look promising for him.
“Yes, I picked the injury during the training session, and it doesn’t look good for me,” he said “but I don’t want to talk about it,” he revealed.
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When asked about the impact of the injury and his hopes for the national team matches against Cameroon, he emphasized that every player dreams of helping the team qualify.
“Of course, it is a dream for every player to help the team qualify,” he added.
The former AFC Leopards man expressed that he hadn’t anticipated the injury but is hopeful for a quick recovery.
“I didn’t expect it, and I hope I’ll be fine,” he remarked.
Odhiambo has been a crucial player for Gor Mahia, recently contributing to a significant 4-0 victory against Mathare United in their first match of the season.
He also scored in the COSAFA Cup where Kenya triumphed over Zimbabwe 2-0. In the AFCON qualifiers against Zimbabwe, he played the full 90 minutes but was benched during the win against Namibia.
National team head coach Engin Firat will need to reorganize his lineup after losing two key midfielders, Odhiambo and Kenya Police player Kenneth Muguna.
Firat is expected to announce his final squad soon and may consider adding Brian Muchiri from Ulinzi Stars and David Odoyo of Tusker to fill the gaps left by Odhiambo and Muguna.
The first match will be played on Friday 11th at Stade Omnisport de Douala, while the second leg match is planned for Monday 14th at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Uganda.
Harambee Stars Provisional Squad
Goalkeepers
Ian Otieno (Richards Bay FC)
Patrick Matasi (Kenya Police)
Byrne Omondi (Bandari)
Defenders
Alphonce Omija (Gor Mahia)
Daniel Anyembe (Viborg)
Amos Nondi (Ararat)
Sylvester Owino (Gor Mahia)
Johnstone Omurwa (Abha)
Collins Sichenje (Vojvodina)
Joseph Okumu (Reims)
Geoffrey Ochieng (Gor Mahia)
Eric Ouma (Rakow)
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Midfielders
David Odoyo (Tusker)
Chrispine Erambo (Tusker)
Richard Odada (Dundee United)
John Ochieng (Zanaco)
Timothy Ouma (Elfsborg)
Anthony Akumu (Kheybar)
Duke Abuya (Yanga)
Ronney Onyango (Gor Mahia)
Austine Odhiambo (Gor Mahia)
Boniface Muchiri (Ulinzi Stars)
Forwards
John Avire (El Sekka El Hadid)
Michael Olunga (Duhail-Oman)
Jonah Ayunga (ST. Mirren-Scotland)
Adam Wilson (New Saints)
Sydney Lokale (AFC Leopards)
Alfred Scriven (Bryne FK)
ALSO READ: SportPesa launch revolutionary Tujiamini Initiative to nurture talent
Tujiamini is an initiative that seeks to provide a platform, including up to 30M shillings in funding, for individual, team sports and various talent, in a year-long campaign that will go around the country in a move aimed at evoking the sense of pride in Kenya’s sports and talent ecosystem.
Applicants are urged to submit their applications through www.tujiamini.co.ke