A year ago, Austin Odongo was taking national exams. Today, the 19-year-old midfielder is set to represent Kenya at the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024, marking a remarkable journey from schoolboy to national team prospect.
Odongo’s inclusion in the 25-man Harambee Stars squad for CHAN, a tournament exclusively for domestic league players, comes after just one season in top-flight football.
“I was really delighted when I received the call-up. It was a great reward after a good first season with Shabana,” Odongo told CafOnline.com. “I am looking forward to this opportunity and to give my all for the team.”
Odongo’s breakthrough began at a Ministry of Sports youth tournament, where he captained Homabay County to victory.
He chose Shabana FC for his professional debut, quickly becoming a standout with seven goals and two assists in the second half of the season.
“It was a really great experience of learning at Shabana… I feel I have grown much since then and I am ready to move to the next level,” he said.
After narrowly missing out on the U20 Africa Cup of Nations squad, Odongo’s hunger intensified. Now, as Kenya prepares for its CHAN debut, the “Last Born” of the team hopes to inspire success.
The opening match against DR Congo at the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani could be his international debut.
“This is a huge opportunity for me because it is a huge platform with the national team,” Odongo emphasized.
“Playing against teams from the rest of the continent… offers a platform to move my career to the next level because you never know who is watching.”
With the CHAN spotlight on East Africa, Odongo could well announce himself as a star for both Kenya and African football.
