Benni McCarthy Explains Reason Behind Austin Odhiambo’s Exclusion in Madagascar Loss

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy has given reasons behind his decision to drop midfielder Austin Odhiambo for their CHAN 2024 quarter-final against Madagascar.

Kenya were eliminated from the competition on Friday after post-match penalty shootouts loss although they had chances to kill off the game early on, especially in the first half, when their decision-making in the final third was not good enough.

Alphonce Omija gave them the lead after 48 minutes with Ryan Ogam’s goal controversially disallowed soon after before Madagascar equalised via the penalty spot 21 minutes from time and then frustrated Kenya with a great defensive display to take the game to extra-time and ultimately penalties where they won 4-3.

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However, there was a feeling among observers and fans that Odhiambo’s quality would have unlocked the stubborn Madagascar defence, yet he was not involved at all, and McCarthy was hard-pressed to explain why.

“Tactical decision,” McCarthy told the media after the match while explaining the Gor Mahia’s playmaker’s absence.

“I thought the way we set up was really good, solid because we wanted to dominate in midfield and Marvin [Nabwire] at his club is playing as an eight going forward and Alpha [Onyango] also very attack-minded, Manzur [Okwaro] sits.”

The Harambee Stars coach believes the game was there for the taking and the players selected should have done enough to win it.

“You saw even with a really strong team, you saw how quick, how much they wanted to run. So, we were chasing shadows and I just thought the game was going the way the players that we set up [with]. That was the right set up and nothing about it,” he added.

McCarthy and his team will now have to pick up the positives from what has been an impressive run as they look forward to their World Cup qualifiers against The Gambia and Seychelles next month.