Kenya, who were bidding to reach their first continental semi-final in 38 years, saw their dream run at the 2024 CHAN end in heartbreak after Madagascar held their nerve in a dramatic penalty shoot-out to reach the semi-finals.
After a 1-1 draw in normal and extra-time, Madagascar prevailed 4-3 on spot-kicks, with Toky Rakotondraibe converting the decisive penalty after Alphonce Omija had missed for the hosts.
Harambee Stars went into the last eight fixture missing the services of midfielder Austine Odhiambo, who was benched by coach Benni McCarthy despite playing a crucial role in the team’s opening Group A fixtures.
Odhiambo, who plays for record champions Gor Mahia in the Kenyan Premier League, scored the only goal as Harambee Stars kicked off their campaign with a 1-0 victory against two-time CHAN champions DR Congo.
In the second group stage fixture, where Kenya played with 10 men following the sending off of midfielder Marvin Nabwire, Odhiambo helped Harambee Stars to secure a 1-1 draw after converting from the penalty spot.
Kenya needed creative spark in midfield
Asked after the Madagascar defeat why Odhiambo was excluded from the starting XI, and was not brought in as a substitute despite the game going into extra time, McCarthy responded to the media: “Tactical decision.”
Queried further on the issue, he said: “I thought the way we set up was really good, solid because we wanted to dominate in midfield and Marvin (Nabwire) at his club is playing as an eight going forward and Alpha (Onyango) also very attack-minded, Manzur (Okwaro) sits."
In an exclusive interview with Flashscore, Okwemba, who debuted for Harambee Stars in 2010, insisted the exclusion of Odhiambo had weakened Kenya’s midfield, which needed a creative spark to trouble Madagascar.
“May I first know if you have an idea why Austin (Odhiambo) was an unused sub in that game?” Okwemba posed a question to Flashscore.
When told that McCarthy had said it was because of a 'tactical decision', Okwemba replied: “It’s okay, Benni is a human being, and everyone is prone to blunders, it’s life, but I also don’t buy that, we needed a creative player in that game.
“The game needed a creative spark in that final third, but we lacked it, which significantly affected our possibilities of getting chances to hurt the opponent. Our subs didn’t give us the solutions we needed in that kind of game, unfortunately.
“Austin (Odhiambo) would have come in handy to offer that, but the technical bench knows better why they opted to keep him out all those minutes. I don’t want to comment much on that.”
Kenya's substitutions were done hurriedly
He continued: “At 1-1, we made two substitutions which I felt were a bit hurried, bringing in debutants Austin (Odongo), and Edward Omondi, which was part of where we continued losing grip of the game.
"Ryan Ogam, and Boniface Muchiri should have stayed on in the game as they were the main threats against Madagascar.”
Okwemba, who played for AFC Leopards, added: “But trust me, Madagascar were a very beatable team, we just shot ourselves in the foot. After all, that’s soccer, these things happen, and I hope we have learnt our lessons.”
He concluded: “Overall, it was a good job from the entire team; once again, it showed us how much talent we have in the country. We just need to heavily invest and lay down the structures.
“We will, in the near future, reap the rewards. There are no shortcuts to success; let all those involved in our game put in the shift, and we will get there.”
Kenya will now prepare to face Gambia and Seychelles in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in September.
