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Origi’s dad blasts federation for son’s exclusion from Stars squad


Arnold Origi’s father has questioned Football Kenya Federation’s “intentions” after the player was excluded from the national team’s squad ahead of a crunch Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

Origi’s dad – Austin Oduor, who is a former Kenya international – believes Harambee Stars coach Bobby Williamson didn’t need the player for the assignment against Congo in Brazzaville, “but didn’t have the guts to say so”.

“I am a former Kenya international and this I know this things,” Oduor told Nairobi News.

“It gets to a point when a coach doesn’t need you in his team, which is understandable and fair enough, but he needs to say so. At the moment (Boniface) Oluoch is doing a good job in the Kenyan Premier League and I think the coach wants to play him.

“My problem is when they don’t say the truth and keep on bringing excuses, yet we all know the federation wrote a request letter to Origi’s club very late,” added Oduor who helped Gor Mahia the Africa Cup Winners Cup (Mandela Cup) in 1987.

PLAYER’S AVAILABILITY

The Norwegian based custodian’s unavailability for Kenya’s clash with Congo Brazzaville on Sunday has been the subject to intense speculation and discussion by local football fans on social media.

Stars coach Williamson told journalists on Wednesday the player wouldn’t make it to Nairobi because he had an issue with his passport, and his club wasnt willing to release.

This prompted an instant response from the Lillestrom player via Twitter.

The 31 year old blamed “sloppiness” from someone in the federation for his absence.

“If someone in the federation wasn’t sloppy, I would be in Nairobi preparing for Congo” he wrote on Twitter.

Oluoch and Posta Rangers keeper Ian Otieno have been tipped as the possible starters in goal for Kenya in the match against Congo on Sunday.