Firat explains Austin Odhiambo's omission from Harambee Stars squad

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.

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 Gor Mahia fans, what do they want from their player? A player that is disciplined and does everything for their team, right?" he posed.

"So, why should it be different with the national team? It is very simple with Austin, last September he and Stanley [Wilson] were in camp so what happened, he could not get a visa to go to Qatar but I told them we will only be in Qatar for two days so I want them back.

We came back, Stanley was already there but no sign of Austin, no one could reach him. His brother Tyson Otieno was here, I asked him where is Austin, he said he doesn’t know which is strange," Firat added.

"The next day at 2 pm our team manager gets a message from Austin and he says he has malaria and he has started recovering. I wondered [if] he could recover from malaria in two days, it is not easy," he added.

"A few hours later, Gor Mahia against Mathare who played, who scored the goal? So, I am wondering now when everybody in the federation knows this and the next day I said the truth to the press. It is no secret and it is clear but I am surprised how someone can write these insults online."

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.

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