Captain Odhiambo expects CHAN to unlock new stars

Harambee Stars defensive midfielder Dennis Odhiambo believes absence of the regular stars head coach Sebastien Migne expected to depend on for the 2020 CHAN qualifiers is a chance for birthing new icons for the national team.

The experienced Sofapaka ace says there is a big gap between the squad that featured in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2019 and the one in camp preparing for the first leg CHAN qualifier against Tanzania on Sunday.

He however notes there is a lot of quality in the players, especially the crop that is uncapped yet, that has showed hunger for the first team beyond CHAN assignment.

“We have been preparing well although most of the players had a lot of work adjusting from the last season break, others having just joined their clubs for the preseason. I’m optimistic, although there is a big difference in terms of experience and exposure when you compare the team we have now and the one we had for AFCON.

“Good news is that this is a different level of competition although responsibility remains the same.    There are young quality players in the team that can surprise people. Someone can come and do wonders, even to cement his place in the senior team,” told Odhiambo, the CHAN team captain.

Farouk Shikhalo, Francis Kahata, Paul Were, Allan Wanga, Cliff Nyakeya, John Avire were part of Migne’s plans for CHAN, but are not available. Wanga announced retirement just after AFCON, Were was dropped for “unbecoming behavior” while Avire is embroiled in a transfer saga.

Migné named the final squad set to jet out to Dar es Salaam on Friday morning, including new faces including Johnstone Omurwa, who was called up to the team in midweek.

Wazito’s budding star Musa Masika, junior brother to Ayub Masika who stood out in the senior squad during AFCON, also made the final list and will be looking forward to making his senior debut.

The team jets out to Tanzania on Saturday ahead of the first leg, with the return leg slated for August 4, 2019, in Nairobi.