Austin Odhiambo backs Kenya to clinch 2024 CHAN title on home soil

Kenya national team midfielder Austin Odhiambo has promised Kenyans that Harambee Stars will make them proud by winning the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament slated to kick off in August.

Harambee Stars will face heavyweights DR Congo, Morocco, Zambia, and Angola in Group A of the tournament to be co-hosted alongside East African neighbours Uganda and Tanzania.

Despite the tough pool, the Gor Mahia player is adamant they will make sure they reach the final and win the trophy since they will be playing their matches at Kasarani Stadium.

“We have been waiting for this tournament for a very long time, and I think the boys are psyched up, and ready for the tournament,” Odhiambo told Flashscore.

“It is a privilege to represent the national team and again it comes with a lot of pressure, because we have the tournament on our home soil, Kenya, so we have to represent the country good enough, and no excuses for playing badly.”

Odhiambo added: “We will try the best that we can to make our fans happy, because by doing so, the pressure will come down. With the home crowd behind us, it is a very good opportunity for us, we need to use the crowd’s support against our opponents and go for positive results.”

On Kenya’s title chances, Odhiambo said: “Of course, yes, (we want to win the title). We are hosting the tournament, and we must have the aim of winning it. As players, we must have that winning mentality, we must aim to be champions every time we play in a tournament, so in my opinion, we have the character to play well and win the trophy.”

“It is going to be a team effort, you can’t do it alone, it is a team effort and we all have to think the same, the whole team you have to think the same, so I believe we all have the mentality going into the tournament and we will make Kenyans proud.”

Kenya, under head coach Benni McCarthy, will kick off their campaign against DR Congo on Sunday, August 3.