Gor Mahia midfielder to skipper Harambee Stars against South Sudan
Reading Time: 2min | Sun. 03.11.24. | 15:33
Odhiambo will hope to share the pitch with his elder brother Otieno, should he be introduced from the bench
Gor Mahia midfielder Austin Odhiambo has been handed the responsibility to skipper Harambee Stars in the return match of a 2025 CHAN qualifiers against South Sudan set for 4pm kick off.
Odhiambo, who doubles up as last season's Most Valuable Player (MVP), has retained his place in the starting team named by coach Engin Firat.
The game will be hosted at the Mandela National Stadium in Namboole, Uganda with the winner on aggregate proceeding to the final round of the qualifiers.
Kenya lost the first leg 2-0.
As expected, Firat made a couple of changes to the team that started in the first leg played last Sunday at Juba Stadium.
Experienced Tusker centre back Charles Momanyi will partner Sylvester Owino at the heart of the defence in one of the two changes made in the back line.
Momanyi, who missed the first leg, commands respect in the team as he was part of the Stars team that clinched the CECAFA Senior Challenge in 2017.
Bandari goalkeeper Bryne Omondi has retained his place in between the sticks with Daniel Sakari and Abud Omar manning the right and left sides of defence.
Fidel Origa has been tasked to shield the defence with Chrispine Erambo and Marvin Nabwire dictating play.
Rooney Onyango will operate from the right with his former schoolmate Francis Kahiro leading the line.
Odhiambo's elder brother Tyson Otieno, who arrived in Uganda on Saturday night, has been named on the bench.
KCB goalkeeper Faruk Shikalo and his teammate Patrick Otieno are on the bench so is experienced defender David 'Cheche' Ochieng.
City Stars midfielder Vincent Owino, his Ulinzi Stars counterpart Issa Lumumba and Kakamega Homeboyz striker Moses Shumah are also on the bench.
Harambee Stars XI
Bryne Omondi, Daniel Sakari, Abud Omar, Charles Momanyi, Sylvester Owino, Fidel Origa, Marvin Nabwire, Chrispine Erambo, Rooney Onyango, Austin Odhiambo, Francis Kahiro
Substitutes
Faruk Shikalo, Tyson Otieno, Patrick Otieno, Moses Shumah, Issa Lumumba, Vincent Owino, David Ochieng
