McKinstry backs Gor midfield ace Odhiambo for MVP gong

Gor Mahia head coach Jonathan McKinstry is optimistic midfield ace Austin Odhiambo will be shortlisted for this year’s Most Valuable Player award following a series of impeccable performances for the league leaders.

Odhiambo scored a brace on Saturday to help Gor open a ten-point gap at the helm of the table, courtesy of their 4-0 win over 10-man Posta Rangers.

‘’I have always said Austin will be in the MVP conversation, and people have always laughed at me. But you can see what he is doing for the team, ‘’ he reckoned.  

Odhiambo has been a pillar in Gor’s midfield, scoring six times this season, and has only failed to make the first eleven when injured.

While alluding to overtures from interested parties to have him dropped to the bench at the beginning of his tenure, McKinstry says he is happy to have stuck with the player, given his scintillating form.

‘’When I first joined Gor Mahia, some interested parties asked me if I was going to keep or release him since some decisions have been made.

“I saw some potential in him and decided to keep him. He is now one of the team’s favorite players,’’ added McKinstry.

The former AFC Leopards captain joined Gor in 2019, replacing former skipper Kenneth Muguna, who had left for Tanzanian outfit Azam.

Besides being a regular scorer, Odhiambo has been a consistent menace for terrorist in every league match and has created assists regularly to leading hitman Benson Omalla who has since scored 9 times to top the Golden Boot race list.

McKinstry says teamwork has helped bring out Odhiambo’s acumen as an established creative midfielder, a feat that has seen the defending champions open a ten-point gap between them and second-placed Tusker.

Gor next play third-placed Bandari at Mbaraki Stadium in Mombasa on Saturday.

McKinstry has also backed Odhiambo to receive a call up to the national team Harambee Stars following an incredible campaign in the 2023–24 season.

‘’He is one of the top players in Kenya and I believe he deserves a place in the National team.

“But I don’t make decisions for the national team since I am not a party’’.

Benson Omalla, Rooney Onyango, Alpha Onyango and Geoffrey Ochieng have all earned the Kenyan national team call up while teammate Emery Bayisenge is a regular feature for the Rwandan national team.

In the same breath, Gor are a relieved side after international football governing body FIFA lifted a transfer ban it had imposed on them last week after they were found not guilty over unpaid dues allegations. 

If they win the league this season, they will represent the country at the CAF Champions League, a slot they missed last season for non-compliance.