Gor Mahia coach Johnathan McKinstry has heaped praise on midfielder Austin Odhiambo’s ability to play in multiple positions.
Odhiambo continued his impressive run this season when he scored the opening goal in Gor Mahia’s 3-1 victory over Murang’a Seal on Saturday before winning the penalty for his team’s second goal which was converted by Benson Omala and had a hand in the third one, also scored by the striker.
All this came with Odhiambo playing on the left wing for most parts of the game as K’Ogalo sought to nullify the threat of their hosts with different tactical setups.
Odhiambo is at his best playing in the No.10 role just behind the main striker but still pulled the strings from the wing as he would cut inside to create danger and that is how he scored the first goal and also won a penalty after a good run in the box from out wide.
It was worth noting that even with Murang’a winning the midfield battle in the first half, Gor Mahia brought on Lawrence Juma for Enock Wanyama, opting to keep Odhiambo out wide, and McKinstry explained how the player’s ability to create from different positions enabled him to have some tactical flexibility.
“It is what we really expect of Austin to have moments in the game where he influences, you saw against AFC Leopards when we went down to 10 and he slid and played in the No.11,” said the Gor Mahia coach.
“Obviously when at the end of the first half we needed to get a double midfield and Lawrence Juma came on and we did not want to take Musa Masika off, the only option was to slide off to the left and he can do that very effectively.
“That is why you have seen a penalty coming from the wing, Austin darting inside and Benson’s goal on the left side switched across to him to control and finish.”
Odhiambo continues to have a major influence on the game with his goal on Saturday the ninth he has managed in the league so far and he also has a number of assists to his name.
McKinstry will hope that he continues producing in the final six games of the season as they edge ever close to a second successive league title, having opened a nine-point gap with second-placed Kenya Police with Saturday’s win.