Austin Odhiambo Opens Up on Challenges of Playing in War-Torn Lebanon

Harambee Stars midfielder Austin Odhiambo has shared his experience of life abroad, having moved overseas for the first time in his career.

Odhiambo moved to Lebanon to join Nejmeh SC in the January transfer window and had been acclimatizing to his new surroundings until the ongoing war involving Iran, Israel and the United States led to strikers in Beirut, forcing the suspension of league action.

Odhiambo, who is among three Kenyans playing for Nejmeh, the others being Masud Juma and Anthony Okumu, had to flee the volatile situation and he has now shared his experience.

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“It was a new challenge and a new beginning and that is the life of a footballer,” Odhiambo told Obinna TV. “It is so solitary. In such moments, you discover that you have to be alone at some point in life,” he added, explaining the lonely life he is experiencing in the Gulf nation.

However, even as he gets to grips with life in the war-torn nation, Odhiambo still retains ambitions of playing at an even higher level.

“It is a good challenge and it has also helped me realise many things in life apart from football,” said the former Gor Mahia playmaker. “I am in a good team, one of the best in Lebanon but hopefully one day I will get a better team.”

While he admits to finding it hard in Lebanon, Odhiambo has also shared some of the benefits of signing for Nejmeh. The midfielder, whose transfer is believed to have earned Gor Mahia Ksh8 million, says he pocketed a life-changing amount from the Asian club

“The highest amount I earned is my transfer to Nejmeh. It was so good, big money. Football pays, even in Kenya. People say our game does not pay but in Kenya, there are players earning over Ksh300,000 monthly,” he further revealed.

With the security situation in Lebanon far from clear, Odhiambo, just like Juma and Akumu, will continue waiting to know if they will play again this season.