Former Kenyan International pens heartfelt message to Austine Odhiambo
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Reading Time: 3min | Fri. 29.08.25. | 17:29
The former shot-stopper warned Odhiambo and other young players against relying solely on their talent,
Former Harambee Stars goalkeeper Matthews Ottamax has written a passionate open letter to Gor Mahia midfielder Austine Odhiambo, urging him to guard against pride and maintain discipline, as he pursues his football career.
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Odhiambo, widely regarded as one of Kenya’s current most talented creative midfielders, was conspicuously left out of coach Benni McCarthy’s 23-man Harambee Stars squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Gambia and Seychelles.
The omission sparked online debate among fans, with many questioning the absence of the player who starred for Kenya at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).
Ottamax, who played for both AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia in his club career, took to Facebook to share his own cautionary tale of how indiscipline and pride derailed his once-promising career.
“Before a fall comes pride,” wrote Ottamax. “Dear Austin Odhiambo, I implore you today, if there’s something that we need to know, please come out and talk about it. Just swallow that pride and find coach McCarthy for a chat. He is a former top professional football player whom I believe will understand from a player’s perspective.”
Recalling his rise to fame in the mid-1990s, Ottamax detailed how he was celebrated after starring in Kenya’s 3–1 victory over Algeria in 1996 but later fell out with then-coach Reinhardt Fabisch.
He admitted that personal distractions and perceived indiscipline cost him opportunities, including the chance to play professional football in Europe.
“Thousands of Kenyans made noise in the media, many more carried placards in the stands demanding for my reinstatement but the professionalism in the coach wouldn’t be bent. Harambee Stars were winning without me, and pole pole I was forgotten,” he wrote.
The former shot-stopper warned Odhiambo and other young players against relying solely on their talent, saying coaches and football authorities often value discipline over flair.
“Just like me, Austin could be innocent. But as a cocky young person, I assume he might think talent alone will carry him to his goals. I made similar assumptions, but the records remained. Coaches who came after Fabisch went for my disciplinary records rather than what I could do on the pitch. No one gave me a chance, my goose had been cooked!”
Ottamax, however, urged the 25-year-old to learn from past mistakes and embrace dialogue.
“Like my son, I want to see you beyond Gor Mahia and the 5.5 million shillings. You’ve got what it takes to scale the zenith of football. This time, I want you to use your mouth to reclaim your rightful position by a healthy dialogue. Kindly, talk to Coach McCarthy!”
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As Harambee Stars prepare for their crucial qualifiers at Kasarani on September 5 and 9, Ottamax’s message stands as both a warning and a lesson for Odhiambo and the next generation of Kenyan footballers—that talent must always be matched with humility, focus, and professionalism.
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