Shabana head coach Peter Okidi believes that the club’s striker, Austin Odongo, was wrongly overlooked by the national U20 team technical bench when selecting players for the forthcoming U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON U20) finals in Egypt. Despite his rich goal-scoring form and overall performance in his maiden Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) season, Odongo was not drafted in the provisional squad. Follow Our WhatsApp Channel For More NewsHis omission was and continues to be met with questions from the Shabana fraternity, who have persistently clamoured for the inclusion of the youngster in the squad through social media. ##NAJAVA_MECA_8859677##When asked for his thoughts, coach Okidi wondered why a slot had not been reserved for Odongo, who has been defying age and inexperience to lead the Shabana forward line in the second leg of the season. The fact that he proved himself in a youth tournament in Spain, in March last year, where he clinched the ‘Golden Boot’ in the Costa Daurada Cup was also viewed as factor that the U20 team bench would consider and call him up. Future FKF president? President Ruto reveals son’s deep passion for footballOdongo netted six goals for the Kenyan U19 team, famously known as Talanta Hela, that had traveled to Spain for the tournament and training. ” The Shabana technical bench has also been wondering why he was not called up. I understand that coaches view and use players differently and there are a lot of good players all over, thus making the competition stiff for the few slots.Much as we are concerned by his omission, we wish the team well,” said Okidi. Odongo will certainly miss the AFCON U20 tournament, but Okidi remains confident that the nation will benefit from his goal scoring instincts in future. Vijago backs battle-ready Starlets for Cameroon clashThe CAF A licensed tactician tipped the former student at Ebwali Secondary School to rise through the ranks and become Harambee Stars’ reliable goal scorer. ” We urge him to work hard and aim for a place in the senior team and the U23. The omission has not affected him in any way. The good thing is he is a strong and a focused boy, who is destined for greater things,” added Okidi.
