'No Excuses' - Austin Odhiambo on Why Playing CHAN 2024 at Home Doubles Harambee Stars’ Pressure

Gor Mahia midfielder Austin Odhiambo is among those looking to impress at CHAN 2024.

'No Excuses' - Austin Odhiambo on Why Playing CHAN 2024 at Home Doubles Harambee Stars’ Pressure

Joel Omotto 15:40 - 21.07.2025

Harambee Stars midfielder Austin Odhiambo feels playing the CHAN 2024 on home soil leaves Kenya with little room for excuses as they must impress no matter who they face.

Harambee Stars midfielder Austin Odhiambo admits playing the 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN 2024) at home adds an extra layer of pressure on them.

Kenya will co-host the tournament alongside Uganda and Tanzania and there is pressure to impress home supporters even though they are in a tough Group A that also has Morocco, DR Congo, Angola and Zambia.

Benni McCarthy’s team have put up a brave face in light of the expected tough opposition at the group stage with optimism in camp that they will be able to mount a sustained challenge and advance to the knockout rounds.

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Odhiambo says they have little room for excuses even with the tough group as playing at home means they must impress supporters who are hoping that they can make it to the latter stages.

“We have been waiting for this tournament for a very long time, and I think the boys are psyched up, and ready for the tournament,” Odhiambo told Pepeta.

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“It is a privilege to represent the national team and again it comes with a lot of pressure, because we have the tournament on our home soil, Kenya, so we have to represent the country good enough, and no excuses for playing badly.

“Of course (we want to win the title). We are hosting the tournament, and we must have the aim of winning it. As players, we must have that winning mentality, we must aim to be champions every time we play in a tournament, so in my opinion, we have the character to play well and win the trophy.”

Harambee Stars have been in camp since last week with coach McCarthy set to trim his squad to the final 23 on Wednesday ahead of the tournament that will take place from August 2-30.

Kenya’s preparations were hit with a setback when they pulled out of the CECAFA Four Nations tournament on Monday, just hours before they were to play hosts Tanzania, over what was termed as unsuitable conditions for them in Karatu.