English-based Harambee Stars winger excited after talks with McCarthy
.JPG)
.jpg)
Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 24.03.26. | 18:34
The 26-year-old's time at Harambee Stars has been patchy, but he hopes his growth will now make him a regular
English-based wing back Clarke Oduor says he wants to show everyone what he can do, following his recall to the Harambee Stars squad set to play two friendlies in the upcoming FIFA Series in Kigali, Rwanda, this month.
Download our Mozzart Sport app for more news
Oduor, who is on loan at League Two side Grimsby Town from parent club Bradford City, last featured for Harambee Stars in September 2023, with his recent call-up on Friday, 13 March ending a two-and-a-half year spell in the cold.
“It feels good to be back, it's an honour,” Oduor said during Stars’ first training session at Nyayo Stadium on Monday.
“I spoke to the gaffer (Benni McCarthy), and he told me he was considering taking me for the camp. I was excited, really excited to just get going and show him and the boys what I can do.”
©Harambee Stars/XOduor’s time at Harambee Stars has been patchy at best, as he has failed to play consistently since earning his maiden call-up in October 2020.
The 26-year-old, having come in for his debut as a late substitute against Zambia, only got a chance to feature again for Harambee Stars three years later.
Then, Oduor’s story took another turn, as he endured an embarrassing moment when he was subbed off 20 minutes after coming from the bench in a 1-0 friendly defeat to South Sudan.
Having come in to replace Masud Juma on the left side of the Kenyan attack, Oduor generated massive conversation after being hooked off minutes later, with former Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat replacing him with striker Moses Shumah in the 81st minute.
Asked about the decision, the late Firat said he had the feeling that Oduor “was a little afraid," and played “as if he has a brake.”
Responding to a question of how he had improved as a player since his last call-up, Oduor said: “In certain aspects, I have grown. Obviously, also in the little aspects, I don’t think I played as much as I wanted to, but I think it just comes, and it is just about continuing to train as hard as I can, so when I get the opportunity to play, to just be ready.”
The Leeds United academy graduate will hope to hit the right notes this time, and hopefully stick for longer.
Harambee Stars play their first game this year on Friday, 27 March against Estonia at the Amahoro Stadium from 6 PM EAT.