Austin Odhiambo: From a matatu driver wannabe to a fine midfielder

Auspicious AFC Leopards midfielder Austin Odhiambo avers that he would have delved into the matatu sector, after completing his secondary school studies, had former Kenyan international Boniface Ambani not spotted his football talent and nurtured him.

Odhiambo reckons that he was cut out for a matatu driver until Ambani, who by then was the AFC Leopards Youth team head coach, got wind of a promising midfielder attached to Babadogo United in 2018.

For Ambani to catch a glimpse of the gem, a friendly match between the Leopards Youth and Babadogo United was quickly organized.

However, as fate would have it, the heavens opened up overnight, rendering the Babadogo pitch unplayable.

As a result, the match was canceled, though Ambani's plan to assess the player's qualities remained intact.

The creative midfielder, who was in his final year at Ambira Boys High School back then, landed an invite to try with the Leopards Youth team a day after the friendly was cancelled.

He says, Ambani was impressed with his skills and signed him barely a day after training with the team.

Odhiambo would formally join them in December 2018 after writing his final exams, although he admits to having played a couple of friendly matches for the team before putting pen to paper.

The former national U20 team midfielder credits Ambani for transforming his aspirations, from those of a matatu driver to a professional footballer, for the months he worked under him in the Leopards youth team.

Ambani was vindicated in April 2019 after the dread-locked player was elevated to the Leopards senior team, where he quickly established himself as s starter.

Ofhiambo, who was part of the Rising Stars team that scooped silver in the 2019 edition of the CECAFA tournament, has a couple of Harambee Stars call-ups under his belt.

"I was not keen on becoming a professional footballer until I landed in Ambani's hands. I wanted to finish school, attain the right age required for one to have a driving license, and later join the matatu sector as a driver.

However, after I was invited for trials at the Leopards Youth team, Ambani changed my mindset and shaped me to be the footballer I am today. I am forever indebted to him for helping me realize my talent," he opened up.

Odhiambo, who feels his brother Tyson Otieno, a Mathare United player, does not get the recognition he deserves, revealed that Ambani will have a say on his next move once his stay at the den elapses.

"I always consult Ambani on a number of football issues, and when the right time comes for me to leave Leopards, I will engage him for advice. He is a man who has been patient with me and understands my strengths and weaknesses," he added.