Harambee Stars midfielder Odhiambo is Kenya's new football sensation

Harambee Stars enterprising attacking midfielder Austin Odhiambo is the newfound gem in  Kenyan football.

Known for his deft footwork, Odhiambo has endeared himself to local football fans. His neat skills on the pitch leave both teammates and opponents mesmerised in equal measure.

In the preceding Kenyan Premier League season, Odhiambo blasted the back of the net 12 times and provided 13 assists to fire Gor Mahia to their 21st title.

He gleefully reminisced about his glorious season, terming it the best since his arrival on the top-flight stage four years ago.

“I must say I had the best experience last season. I scored many goals and contributed to Gor's triumph with three matches in hand,” Odhiambo remarked.

He was, indeed, a marvel to watch at the 2024 Cosafa Cup tournament in South Africa, where he found the back of the net twice while featuring for the Kenyan Under 23 team.

Odhiambo was named man of the match in the final group stage game against Zimbabwe.

His top-notch performance placed him on the radar of several African behemoths and European outfits.

Odhiambo is currently linked with a move to Belgian giants KAA Gent following a splendid performance in the regional showpiece.

Besides the hawk-eyed scouts, who thronged to the stands in search of talent, the vibrant midfielder caught the attention of coaches who watched him on television.

Odhiambo disclosed how clubs reached out to his agent to express interest in his services.

“The tournament was generally brilliant for me because of the exposure it gave me," Odhiambo stated.

"The interest in me kept ballooning after each match and especially after the final game against Zimbabwe," he added.

The record Kenyan champions will now have to fend off intense competition for his signature from interested suitors who are already offering goodies to lure him abroad.

The clearest indication yet that he may as well be on his way out of K'Ogalo was his commission from the squad that featured in the Cecafa Kagame Cup earlier in the month.

According to impeccable sources, Odhiambo remained behind to finalise a potential move to Europe. It's a dream he has held on since childhood.

“The closest I came to playing abroad was in 2021 when I narrowly missed a chance to feature for Elfsborg in Sweden," Odhiambo stated.

His talent came to the fore during his formative years as he ploughed through the books at Ambira High School.

Odhiambo gradually honed his skills at Leopards Youth after coach Boniface Ambani included him in the side in 2016. It wasn't long before he earned a promotion to the senior side.

“Ambani spotted me during a friendly match between AFC Leopards Youth and Baba Dogo United which I played for at the time,” Odhiambo said.

“I received an invite to join AFC Leopards Youth when I was in my final year at Ambira Boys High School.”

The midfielder who was part of the Rising Stars team that secured a silver medal in the 2019 edition of the Cecafa tournament never participated in inter-school competition though.

"I never aspired to play serious football. I planned to finish school and learn how to drive then join the matatu sector.

"However, after I was invited for trials at Leopards Youth team, I gave it a deep thought," he said.

However, his stay at the Den was curtailed by endless financial constraints that bedevilled the club.

“I felt stressed because I had not paid my rent. I had not also paid my parents’ rent. I met Leopards’ officials and explained my situation but they never bothered to find a solution. It simply meant they were not interested,” Odhiambo remarked.

“I received seven lush offers and I felt tempted to accept at least one knowing I would get myself out of the endless financial mess. I had to leave,” he added.

Things took an interesting twist when Leopards realised Gor was after Odhiambo's signature.

Determined to keep him, Leopards imposed a hefty Sh10 million price tag on Odhiambo to discourage any move by their arch-rivals to snatch him from the den.

"In October 2021, I terminated my contract with less than a year to go,  making it easier for Gor to sign me as a free agent."

Odhiambo would later earn a maiden senior call-up to the national team.

However, a misunderstanding with Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat left him out in the cold for a while. He was a no-show as the national team took their flight to Lilongwe, Malawi for the Four-Nation tournament.

Firat disclosed why he dropped the gifted midfielder from his travelling squad.

“Austin asked for permission to leave the team’s camp briefly ahead of the friendly against South Sudan in September last year to settle a personal issue. He later claimed he was diagnosed with malaria and would not return to camp,” Firat said.

“Surprisingly, he featured for Gor Mahia in a friendly against Mathare United and scored,” he added.

Odhiambo did not travel with Harambee Stars to Qatar, owing to visa hitches. He also failed to show up for the match against South Sudan after reportedly feigning illness.

Firat explained that he had blacklisted the player following a previous case of indiscipline.

Stars' coach restated his prior demands for discipline from the players, emphasising that cooperation and a common goal must always take precedence over individual desires.

"Some players were left off the roster since it takes each team member to form a unified outfit. Regardless of their status, I am forced to let them go when they put their interests ahead of the team," the coach said.

The tactician underlined the importance of unity for a team like Kenya, which might not boast the depth of quality found in African giants like Senegal.

"As a football coach in a country like Kenya, building togetherness is crucial. In contrast to Senegal, where top European clubs easily supply talent, we have difficulty putting together our team and must therefore ensure we work as a team to achieve positive results in our matches," he continued.

Odhiambo has since confirmed they have already buried the hatchet and was elated to earn his place back in the national team.

"I aim to play for the national team in the future. I'll continue working hard to wear the national colours because it is every player's dream to do so at some point in their career," Odhiambo remarked.

"We already resolved our differences with coach Firat," he said.

Although occasionally a thorn in the flesh, Odhiambo is a go-getter who has secured honours at a whim.

He comes from a family where sports run naturally in the bloodstream. His elder brother Tyson Otieno bagged the FKF Cup title with Kenya Police in the concluded season after beating KCB in the hotly-contested finals.

“I was thrilled when we both won titles with our respective clubs. I felt proud,” he said.

“I have a lot of admiration and respect for my brother.  He has been a great source of inspiration. Hopefully, we'll all play for the same club in the future,” he added.

Odhiambo was never shy to turn his guns on his former employer during their numerous Mashemeji derby clashes.

He remained unfazed by the prospect of suffering a backlash from the passionate Ingwe fans who thronged to the stands to witness the scintillating encounters.

Odhiambo said he hoped Ingwe fans would understand he must fulfil his duty for K'Ogalo.

"I'm aware I once donned the Leopards' jersey but that does not restrain me from scoring against them if I find myself strategically placed to do so," Odhiambo remarked.

"Football is a job like any other and I must meet the expectations of my boss. Part of my job description is to blast the back of the net and I will be glad to do so given a chance," he added.