Newly-acquired Mathare United left-back Starlon Odhiambo is struggling to ignore the comparisons between him and his father Noah Abich which he has been constantly drawn.The 20-year-old ditched Kibera Black Stars for a move to the promotion-chasing Mathare United on Thursday.By doing so, he followed the footsteps of his father who played for Mathare as a right back at some point in his football career.##NAJAVA_MECA_7862738##After his unveiling, Odhiambo conceded that it has been difficult for him to turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to the comparisons between him and his loving father for some time now.While Abich might not have turned professional but commands massive respect for his longevity in the Kenyan top flight and national team during his active years.Whatever Abich who has since transitioned into coaching after calling time on his career in 2020 failed to achieve on the pitch is something his son is determined to achieve.I am a proud dad says Noah Abich in wake of his son’s elevation at TuskerThe youngster says the platform offered by Mathare forms a solid base for his plan to rise to the top tier and take the bar higher than where his father placed it at his prime.“I think I am used to the comparisons and everything relating to it. My Dad played for local clubs and the national team only. I hope to soar to similar heights and play in Europe,” he said shortly after his unveiling.Odhiambo passed through his father’s hands at Zimmerman Academy and at Kibera in the first leg of the current season.Besides tapping inspiration and football knowledge from Abich who played for nine clubs in the top tier, Odhiambo termed his Dad as the greatest source of advice.“He advises me to remain disciplined and committed. The last thing I will ever do is to let him down,” he said.Odhiambo draws inspiration from Real Madrid centre-back David Alaba besides his father can also play at the heart of the defence, wing-back, and as an offensive player.Fast-rising full back Starlon Odhiambo among new faces at Mathare UnitedAbich predominantly played as a right-back and is best remembered for his prowess in scoring from free kicks.Locally, the former Tusker Youth player looks up to David Owino, a former Mathare United left-back who turns for Kenya Police and the national team as well as Gor Mahia right-back Rooney Onyango.“I have three idols whom I follow closely. I like Alaba’s versatility and how he conducts himself on the pitch. Locally, I am awed by Owino’s understanding of football and how comfortable he is with the ball on his feet. Onyango might be a right back but his runs and art of crossing the ball are high up there,” he added.
