Austine Odhiambo, the dynamic midfielder for Gor Mahia and former standout performer at CHAN 2024, has been conspicuously omitted from Kenya’s Harambee Stars squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Seychelles and The Gambia. Oddly, this decision comes despite his return to form during the continental tournament.
While coach Benni McCarthy has refrained from publicly clarifying the reasons behind Odhiambo’s exclusion, it has sparked widespread speculation among fans and pundits. Several sources suggest that Odhiambo has discipline issues, including failing to attend training and allegedly turning up while intoxicated. The professional footballer may not want to be directly associated with the controversy, but insiders indicate that the matter is being treated with caution. Considering the political undertones in local football, the truth is not coming out strongly, with some stakeholders feared to be holding back from making definitive statements.
During the CHAN quarter-final clash against Madagascar, coach McCarthy described Odhiambo’s absence as a “tactical decision,” emphasising the roles of other midfielders like Marvin Nabwire, Alpha Onyango, and Mansur Okwaro in his game plan. However, questions linger over whether discipline, rather than tactics, is the real reason behind the midfielder’s omission.
Off the field, Odhiambo is also embroiled in a land dispute in Baba Dogo, Nairobi. It is alleged that he has attempted to rebrand a contested parcel—owned by Kenafric Industries and not yet acquired by the government—as “Austine Odhiambo Grounds.” Critics argue that he is bulldozing his way through the matter, risking further damage to his public image.
With his absence from national duty, whispers of indiscipline, and a controversial land battle unfolding, many are asking: is this the beginning of Austine Odhiambo’s professional decline?
