Gor Mahia midfielder Austin Odhiambo wants fans and pundits to stop trolling and bullying players over allegations of causing blunders in league matches.
The Kenyan international, who scored the only goal during the 1-0 win over AFC Leopards in the FKF League match at Nyayo Stadium on April 21, said such incidents can lead to players’ depression.
While Austin and the Green Army celebrated three points and bragging rights after completing a double over their sworn rivals, Leopards’ goalkeeper Levis Opiyo was the villain with fans claiming his blunder cost them the derby.
The accusation took the tribal angle with Opiyo and defender Ken Owino being accused of allegedly deliberately selling the match to K’Ogallo following the howler.
Owino, who signed from Posta Rangers in January, played a back pass to Opiyo, who was closed in by Odhiambo and striker Benson Omalla in the 30th minute, resulting in the former blocking the ball straight into Ingwe’s net.
“If Opiyo is not mentally fit to play, he should say so that he is replaced by another keeper. This is not the first time he has cost us three points against Gor and other teams,” cried a member of the Ingwe media team on Facebook.
Another one claimed Opiyo and Owino should be benched for several games so that they can get serious in the league. Odhiambo felt sorry for Opiyo, having been in the same situation in 2021 while featuring for Ingwe. He said he missed a penalty against Equity in the FKF Cup semifinals at Utalii grounds and hell broke loose.
“When you play well, the same fans will celebrate you, but when you blunder, you automatically become a Luo and a liability to the Mulembe nation amid abuses and trolls. Players should be free to play for any team, anywhere without being subjected to their tribal insults,” said Odhiambo
He believes fans don’t understand the pressure players go through in the big matches and sometimes things happen so fast.
“These things happen to anyone, and even our shot-stopper Kevin Omondi would have turned into a villain after his first half-red card exposed Gor to 10 men for over 60 minutes,” added Austin.
Odhiambo looks forward to getting his first cup for Harambee Stars having, featured for the U-20 and U-23 sides.