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Gor Mahia's Austin Odhiambo is among the eight most notable absentees from Engin Firat's latest Harambee Stars squad.
On Wednesday morning, Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat named his provisional 27-man squad for the upcoming Four Nations Tournament set to take place in Malawi later this month.
Firat made radical changes to the squad that took part in the opening 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying games against Gabon and Seychelles, with up to seven fresh faces being called up.
For various reasons, some were dropped, while others were surprisingly omitted from the squad.
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08:32 - 09.03.2024
FKFPL Analysis : How Benson Omala and Austine Odhiambo are rewriting record books at Gor Mahia
This is why Gor Mahia fans must be greatful that they get to watch the potent partnership of Benson Omala and Austine Odhiambo propel them to glory every week.
Here are some of the most notable absentees from the squad.
Austin Odhiambo
When the squad for the tournament was announced, there was a sense of universal disgust amongst the K’Ogalo fanbase that Austine Odhiambo was not called up to the squad.
Odhiambo received his second call-up to the side under the stewardship of Firat last September but did not feature in the games they played that month against Qatar and South Sudan respectively.
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18:34 - 13.03.2024
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Since then, he has gone on to take the league by storm and has scored seven goals and registered six assists for Gor Mahia this season. He has also contributed to numerous pre-assists with willing runners getting on the end of his through balls before giving cutbacks to goalscorers like Benson Omala.
Considering that Firat has only called up an injured Kenneth Muguna as the only true number 10 in the team, having left out Duke Abuya (more on him below).
Daniel Sakari
Tusker fullback Daniel Sakari has been dropped from the squad, having been such a prominent figure in the team in recent years.
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16:31 - 13.03.2024
FOOTBALL Austin Odhiambo: Harambee Stars fans question exclusion of Gor Mahia midfield maestro from squad
Kenyans have reacted angrily to the decision by Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat to snub Gor Mahia midfield maestro from the squad ahead of the Four Nations Tournament.
His versatility in that he can play both as a left back and right back, as well as in a more advanced right midfield position will be missed, with Firat opting to have a look at other players.
On top of that his throw-ins which have proven vital to Harambee Stars’ attack during set-piece situations will not be implemented in Malawi.
Brian Mandela
Mamelodi Sundowns defender Brian Mandela has been left out of the team for the second window in a row after he reportedly took a sabbatical from the national team to focus on his club career with the South African giants.
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10:00 - 08.10.2023
STARS ABROAD Joseph Okumu explains benefits of regular AFCON qualification, names Kenyan player who inspired him most
Harambee Stars defender Joseph Okumu has highlighted the benefits of regularly qualifying for AFCON for Kenyan players while naming his team-mate among those who inspire him.
He is seemingly still not ready to return to the team, and it is relatively unsurprising to see he got left out.
Masoud Juma
Masoud Juma will not be part of the team as he steps up his recovery from a six-month achilles injury he suffered earlier this year.
Juma has scored in each of Kenya’s last three games.
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10:58 - 25.01.2024
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Masud Juma now joins Michael Olunga on the treatment table which has dealt Harambee Stars a big blow ahead of the March international window.
Elvis Rupia
FKF Premier League record goalscorer Elvis Rupia has been left out of the side for the third international window in a row, with his last appearance being in the 1-0 loss to South Sudan in August.
Rupia has not been as prolific in Tanzania as he was for Police since leaving for Sindiga Fountain Gate and then Ihefu FC, although he has found the back of the net on a couple of occasions, and was the top scorer in the Mapinduzi Cup with five goals
Firat has used him as a winger, which is not his ideal position, and it is not a surprise to have seen him left out.
Duke Abuya
Like Rupia, Abuya joined Sindiga before leaving for Ihefu FC in January. He has held his own in Tanzania and was even named Player of the Match in October.
He has been playing regularly for Ihefu, but there is a feeling that Firat may want to give him more time to find his feet there before considering recalling him
Timothy Ouma
Timothy Ouma has struggled for regular game time since joining Swedish side IF Elfsborg in 2022. As a result, it has been difficult for him to get game time even for his country, with all his five appearances being as a substitute.
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17:00 - 13.03.2024
FOOTBALL Harambee Stars' Four Nations Tournament fixtures released
Harambee Stars set to compete in Four Nations tournament, aiming for victory and preparation for World Cup AFCON qualifiers.
He has made the bench regularly for Elfsborg so far this season and will be hoping that, like Joseph Okumu, he can rise to prominence in their shirt to earn a recall to the national team.
Clarke Oduor
Clarke Oduor was left out of the side for the third international window in a row and has not featured since the game against South Sudan, where he was subbed on and then off during the defeat.
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