Gor Mahia creative midfielder Austin Odhiambo’s name is missing from the Harambee Stars’ latest squad released by coach Engin Firat much to the chagrin of many fans.Stars are poised to feature in a four-nation tournament scheduled to take place from March 18 to March 26, 2024, in Malawi and Firat has named a provisional squad of 27.##NAJAVA_MECA_7953389##Yet, it is the omission of Austin, undoubtedly the best player in the FKF Premier League at the moment, that has generated a lot of backlash online.“Austin Odhiambo missing from the Harambee Stars squad is big skendol (scandal). Kuna lots of passengers hapo (there are a lot of passengers there). Also, why call four goalies when you need only three,” Kollo wondered on X.“National team selection should be on merit and form of a player. Austin has been enjoying some good form. I doubt there’s any local midfielder that can come close. Spain-based defender pulls out of Kenya U20 squad“National team coach and his TB are a bunch of jokers for lack of a better word,” Franklin Orinde posted on Facebook.The former AFC Leopards player is enjoying a great form with K’Ogallo who are also the current league leaders. On several occasions, he has been named man of the match and made the team of the week.Can’t wait for Engin Firat’s next press conference. He will come armed with pie charts and diagrams to justify why Austin Odhiambo, arguably the best player in the local league at the moment, is not yet ready for senior National team assignments. #HarambeeStars #FootballKE pic.twitter.com/Z2k5dwZFRf— Jeff Kinyanjui (@_JeffKinyanjui) March 13, 2024 He has so far scored seven times, including a brace against Posta Rangers two weeks ago.“Someone explain to me how the best we have right now is missing out on that call-up?” Bree Mong’ina asked on X.“Austin Odhiambo has to be the biggest omission from the Harambee Stars squad,” said Kevin Teya, a journalist. Kenyan defender ruled out of four-nation tournamentAustin’s teammates including striker Benson Omalla, the leading league top scorer with 11 goals, winger Shariff Musa, and defender Rooney Onyango have made the cut.Murang’a Seal goes hard on FKF in Hussein Mohammed dispute ahead of Saturday AGMProvisional squad Avire, Ayunga named in Harambee Stars’ squad for Malawi tournamentGoalkeepers: Ian Otieno (Zesco-Zambia), Patrick Matasi (Kenya Police), Byrne Odhiambo (Bandari), Bonphas Munyasa (Murang’a Seal)Defenders: Collins Sichenje (AIK-Sweden), Joseph Okumu (Reims-France), Johnstone Omurwa (Estrela-Portugal), Dennis Ng’ang’a (Zanaco Zambia), Daniel Anyembe (Viborg-Denmark), Amos Nondi (Ararat), Abud Omar (Kenya Police), Eric Ouma (Rakow-Poland)Midfielders: Alphonce Omija (Dhofar-Oman), Kaycie Odhiambo (AFC Leopards), Chris Erambo (Tusker), Richard Odada (Aalborg-Denmark), Anthony Akumu (Sagan Tosu), Kenneth Muguna (Kenya Police), David Sakwa (Bandari), Shariff Musa (Gor Mahia), Ayub Timbe (Sebail- Azerbaijan), Eric Johanna (UTA-Romania), Rooney Onyango (GOR Mahia)Forwards: John Avire (Sekka), Michael Olunga (Duhail-Qatar), Jonah Ayunga (ST. Mirren-Scotland), Benson Omalla (Gor Mahia)
