Reigning NSL MVP Odhiambo glad to have ended wait for top flight debut

Highly-rated Kakamega Homeboyz centre back and last season's National Super League Most Valuable Player (MVP) Portipher Odhiambo is a happy man after belatedly making his top flight debut last weekend.

Since joining Homeboyz last from Vihiga Bullets, Odhiambo had to patiently wait for the opportunity to showcase his talent at the top level owing to the sky-high competition for playing time in the club's defense.

However, lady luck smiled his way last Sunday when he was summoned to replace the injured left back Evans Maliachi during the league game pitting Homeboyz and KCB played at Bukhungu Stadium.

His introduction in the game saw him play as a right back with the versatile Collins Odhiambo moving to the opposite flank to plug in the gap left by the injured player.

Odhiambo who was expected to hit the ground running at Homeboyz said it was worth waiting for the chance and his dream to play in the country's elite inter-club competition had come to fruition.

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"I am the happiest player inside the Homeboyz camp after I finally got the chance to debut at the top level. It was a proud moment for me and the most important thing is the team also won after going for five matches without a win. I knew an opening would present itself and I am looking forward to building on the minutes I garnered and play more in the subsequent matches, " he said.

Besides praying and working for more playing time, Odhiambo who is a national U23 team trialist says he is hoping that to partner his long term friend Sylvester Owino at the heart of the defence in the near future.

The two players formed a rock solid partnership at Bullets in the second tier only for it to be broken by Homeboyz who acquired Owino before the start of past season.

"I used to enjoy playing with Owino at the heart of the defence at Bullets. At the moment, he is the defence anchorman here at Homeboyz and I am hoping that we will be paired together again. He has progressed well career wise and his success story is a motivation for me, " he added.