McCarthy, Olunga open up on Austine Odhiambo's omission from Harambee Stars squad

Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy said he was tired of responding to questions about Austin Odhiambo's exclusion fom the national team camp, instead choosing to focus on his present group ready to represent the country in the upcoming pair of 2026 World Cup qualifiers against The Gambia and Seychelles.

McCarthy, in an unusual start to his press conference on Monday, 1 September, asked journalists present to save him questions around the star midfielder, whose omission from his 23-man squad raised eyebrows among supporters.

"Before we start please, I do not want any questions about Austin. I am tired," McCarthy said.

"Can we just focus on the players that are here. That is a question for another day and another time," he added.

The comments, which visibly came from a point of frustration, came after Odhiambo became the headline story during Kenya's journey in the Africa Nations Championships (CHAN).

On the positive light, was his claim to fame, having emerged as the country's joint top scorer in the biennial tournament, thanks to his two goals against DR Congo and Angola.

The other twist to the story was his loud absence from arguably Kenya's biggest game in the home Championships - a quarter final against Madagascar on Friday, 22 August - when the Gor Mahia man was left on the bench, despite McCarthy making six substitutions in a game that lasted over 120 minutes.

Asked about his sidelining then, McCarthy said it was due to "tactical reasons."

Harambee Stars coach gives reason for sidelining Austin Odhiambo against Madagascar

In the days that followed, contrasting versions relating to events inside the camp dominated the social media scene, with unsubstantiated claims alleging that the midfielder had been dropped for disciplinary reasons.

Insiders reveal why Austin Odhiambo was left out of Harambee Stars' squad

His omission from the latest squad drew even more questions, only for McCarthy to steer wide, adding a further cloud on it.

He was not alone in evading the topic however, as Harambee Stars team skipper Michael Olunga chimed in when asked about it later on.

"Well I cannot comment on it because I just arrived today," Olunga said. "I do not know anything about it, so on that one I can not say anything."

The wait for McCarthy’s perfect day to provide an answer goes on.

Former Kenyan International pens heartfelt message to Austine Odhiambo