‘They’ll Forget What You’ve Done’ - Austin Odhiambo Warns Harambee Stars Team-Mates Ahead of Madagascar

Harambee Stars midfielder Austin Odhiambo has issued a rallying call to his team-mates ahead of their 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN 2024) quarter-final against Madagascar.

Kenya face Madagascar in the last eight on Friday afternoon at Kasarani Stadium, seeking to maintain their fine run, after topping their group against all odds.

That has put Benni McCarthy’s men on the cusp of history and after finishing top of a Group A that had Morocco, Dr Congo and Angola, there is a feeling among fans that Madagascar will be an easy tie, something Odhiambo is quick to dispute.

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“The quarter-finals are different from group stage matches because if you slip a bit, you are outside,” the Gor Mahia playmaker told Pulse Sports.

“It does not matter what you have done at the group stage because there is no time to recover or say next time. If you slip up a bit, you are out and everyone will forget whatever you have done at the group stage so for us to make it count, we have to reach the finals,” he added, explaining the significance of going all the way.

Odhiambo, however, remains confident that their group stage run, which saw them down two of the favourites in DR Congo and Morocco, can act as inspiration to go all the way, added to the belief among supporters.

“Before the tournament, many of them wrote us off because they used to see Kenya losing matches and it was like something normal,” he added.

“We are trying to change something and something big is happening in our country. We are showing them that this is a different country. It is a country where if we come together, we can perform.

“We have this trust and belief that God will reward us as a team because we can do it. It is starting to happen now and fans are starting to believe and that is the most important thing.”

McCarthy has employed different tactics during the course of the group stage and it remains to be seen how he will set up his team against Madagascar.