Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat has explained that Austin Odhiambo’s exclusion from the team is due to indiscipline.The player, currently in top form in the league, was dropped from the Stars’ preliminary squad traveling to Malawi, sparking criticism from fans nationwide who believe he deserved a chance.##NAJAVA_MECA_11874##Firat defended his decision, stating that the player feigned illness last year after failing to travel with the team to Qatar for a friendly match against the host nation.The tactician also emphasized the importance of integrating new players into the national team setup.Among the new additions are Bonphas Munyasa of Murang’a Seal, Kayci Odhiambo of AFC Leopards, David Sakwa of Bandari, among others.”It’s important to introduce new players like goalkeeper Boniface, Kayci, and Ayunga. I’m pleased with their efforts; it’s a great chance to experiment with new strategies. We’ll be testing out some fresh faces and options in the tournament,” he stated.”Football isn’t just about 11 players; sometimes key players are injured, so it’s crucial to have a strong pool to select from. This tournament provides us with an excellent opportunity to prepare for the qualifiers in June.”Last year, the tactician had disclosed a plan to play top European teams in friendly games, but he says the plans were hampered by European schedules.”We initially planned to face two European opponents before June, but the FIFA schedules being played at the same time disrupted our plans. However, this tournament serves as an equally valuable platform for us.”Stars depart for Malawi on Thursday.
