The omission of influential playmaker Austin Odhiambo from coach Benni McCarthy's final 23-man squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Gambia and Seychelles has sparked widespread debate among Kenyan football fans.
Odhiambo, who has been instrumental in Kenya's recent CHAN tournament and scored the nation's historic first-ever goal during a 1-0 victory over DR Congo, finds himself watching from the sidelines as the Harambee Stars prepare for two critical home fixtures.
Many are surprised by Odhiambo's exclusion, considering his recent stellar performances and growing reputation as one of Kenya's most technically gifted players.
This latest snub follows a pattern of tactical decisions by McCarthy that have left the midfielder on the periphery.
During Kenya's quarter-final match against Madagascar in the CHAN tournament, McCarthy opted to bench Odhiambo despite his earlier heroics.
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When questioned about the decision, the coach explained, "It was a tactical decision. We wanted to dominate in midfield, and I felt the game was going according to how we set up."
McCarthy's 23-man squad features a mixture of locally based and international players. Thirteen players who participated in the CHAN campaign were retained for the World Cup qualifiers.
Kenya faces a challenging task in their World Cup qualification tournament. They are currently sitting fourth in their group with six points.
The Ivory Coast leads the group with 16 points, followed by Gabon with 15 and Burundi with 10.
The Harambee Stars will host The Gambia on Friday, September 5, 2025, before facing Seychelles on Tuesday, September 9, 2025. Both encounters are scheduled at 4:00 pm at the Moi International Sports Centre in Kasarani.
