Austin Odhiambo On How Early CHAN 2024 Exit Could Hurt Harambee Stars Players’ Moves Abroad

‎While a number of Harambee Stars players are hoping that their performance at the 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN 2024) will earn them moves abroad, Austin Odhiambo believes it would have been easier if they reached the final.

‎Kenya was among the surprise packages at the tournament, when they went past a tough group, to reach the quarter final but their journey ended there.

‎Benni McCarthy's men fell on post-match penalties to Madagascar, who have since reached the final, which they will play against Morocco, at Kasarani Stadium on Saturday.

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‎However, there were a number of outstanding performers, some who have already sealed deals locally, while some are on the radar of teams abroad.

‎Odhiambo, who scored two goals at CHAN 2024, is among those who were hoping to use the tournament as a stepping stone to paid ranks abroad and while he remains hopeful that what he did can earn him suitors, he feels their failure to make it to the final will have an impact on what kind of clubs they get.

‎"You have to get to the finals for your performance to be seen because the moment we are out of this tournament, everyone will forget whatever we have done," Odhiambo told Pulse Sports.

‎"Mostly, they watch the finals so you just have to get to the finals."

‎The Gor Mahia midfielder featured in three of the five games Kenya played at CHAN 2024, with his goals coming in the first two matches against DR Congo and Angola, but there is a feeling that he was badly missed in the quarter-final, when he was not selected as Harambee Stars struggled to break down a stubborn Madagascar, who won the tie on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.

‎Odhiambo has been angling for a move since last year with a remoured transfer to Belgium failing to materialise over that period but that has not ended his desire to test himself abroad.