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Odada was named man of the match in Kenya's 1-0 win over Pakistan at the just cooncluded Mauritius four nations series on Wednesday.
Harambee Stars' campaign at the recently concluded Mauritius four nations tournament culminated in dissapointing manner as they lost 1-0 to the hosts at the Cote d' or stadium on Sunday afternoon.
However, four days earlier, they faced Pakistan at the same venue and managed to get a positive result as Engin Firat continues to identify his best line up for future international tournaments.
During the match, Kenya won 1-0 courtesy of a Moses Shummah goal after Daniel Sakari’s throw in caused confusion in the box. The ball landed on the feet of Shummah who expertly converted into a goal, but there was not very much to write about in an attacking sense.
Captain Michael Olunga looked isolated and anonymous, Sakari and Eric Marcelo Ouma, fullbacks by trade, were tasked with playing as defensive wingers and struggled to impact the game in an attacking sense and although Shummah netted the goal, he was barely involved in play.
However, Richard Odada, a deep lying playmaker by trade, was named man of the match and rightly so. He produced an evergreen performance that would genuinely have put a smile on Andrea Pirlo’s face, and gave the side a breath of fresh air as he epitomized everything positive about the national team performance that day
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He looked to attempt forward passes at every available opportunity, occasionally attempting line breaking passes that dismantled the Pakistan low block, carried the ball forwards whenever possible and even attempted long range passes.
This was evident less than a minute into the game, as Odada seeked to show he wanted to progress the ball as quickly up the pitch as possible.
Odada takes part in a quick exchange with David Cheche Ochieng as shown:
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There is a quick exchange of passes between Akumu and Cheche while Odada who is now hugging the line, is pointing forwards.
Cheche returns the ball to him before he glances over upon receiving the ball.
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Before sending a progressive ball further up the pitch towards Olunga.
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Just three minutes later, Kenya execute a well constructed move from the back when Bryne Omondi passes the ball to left back Abud Omar.
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Omar passes it to Odada who checks his shoulder before receiving the ball.
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He then passes the ball to Olunga who drops deep to receive the ball before he runs with it forwards and passes it to Daniel Sakari
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Who whips the ball low towards Shummah but the Pakistan defence deals well with it
Another ocassion where Odada showed his prowess was in the 60th minute when he won the ball back as Pakistan tried to clear the ball to safety
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He dummies the Pakistan player below having carried it forwards.
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Before passing it to Teddy Akumu who hits the ball just over the bar
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Usually, Harambee Stars have had to rely on number tens like Francis Kahata in recent time sto create from deep which has not worked. They have also had to try and test Kenneth Muguna and Duke Abuya, none of whom have found any consistency in a Kenya shirt to create.
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Odada has been dubbed the new Victor Wanyama because he got into the side just after Wanyama was phased out of the side by Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee.
However, much as the former captain was reliable from a defensive point of view, he was not known to be someone who could contribute in an attacking sense although he had the odd capability to strike the ball sweetly from distance at goal.
Odada may have both the defensive security and the progressiveness on the ball that may help Kenya moving forward.
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17:40 - 17.06.2023
FOOTBALL Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat promises fans thrilling clash against Mauritius
Stars managed a slim 1-0 win over minnows Pakistan on Wednesday.
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