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The Gor Mahia midfielder has revealed what cost them victory in first leg loss to South Sudan in the 2024 CHAN qualifiers.
Gor Mahia midfielder Austin Odhiambo has shed light on the factors that led to Kenya's 2-0 defeat to South Sudan in the first leg of their CHAN Qualifiers first-round clash in Juba.
Speaking ahead of the second leg, scheduled for Sunday at the Mandela National Stadium in Uganda, Odhiambo expressed optimism for a comeback but admitted that Kenya faced key challenges in their initial encounter.
Odhiambo, who was part of a significantly overhauled squad following the loss, explained that the team's lack of cohesion played a major role in their setback.
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The Kenyan lineup for the Juba fixture had undergone sweeping changes, with 13 players dropped and 11 fresh faces brought in. The result was a team that had not yet built the familiarity required to compete effectively at that level.
Reflecting on the match, Odhiambo said, “The team then hadn’t gelled enough, and that contributed to the result.” He highlighted that the limited preparation time and the lack of synergy among the new group were decisive factors that hindered their performance on the pitch.
Despite the disappointing first leg, Odhiambo expressed confidence in the revamped squad's potential to turn the tie around. With a team that now features more experienced national team players, he believes Kenya is better positioned to respond positively in the return leg.
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“I think everyone is ready here,” Odhiambo shared during a practice session on Friday. “The team we have now consists of players who are familiar with each other, whether from playing together at our clubs or previous national team experiences. That familiarity gives us a good chance to win on Sunday.”
Preparation has been a focal point for Kenya ahead of the second leg. Odhiambo noted that the team has taken steps to address their shortcomings from the first match. “Since then, we have done our homework together, and can at least say that we are ready,” he stated, underscoring the team’s improved readiness.
One concern, however, remains the venue of the match. With the game set to be played in Uganda instead of on home soil, Odhiambo highlighted the impact of not having the support of Kenyan fans.
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“Maybe that’s the only negative thing,” he admitted. “Home support is really key in such games, and as we saw in the first leg, South Sudan fed off the crowd support and really pushed us so hard. We also need that soon.”
The decisive second leg will determine which team advances to the final qualification round, where they will face either Rwanda or Djibouti. However, regardless of the outcome on Sunday, Kenya has already secured a place in next year’s main tournament as hosts, bringing added motivation for the team to demonstrate their strength and unity.
Odhiambo's insights into the challenges of the first leg and the team's readiness for the upcoming clash highlight the determination within the squad to overturn their deficit and advance in the qualifiers.
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