Shabana FC star Austin Odongo is on the brink of making history with Kenya at the upcoming African Nations Championships (CHAN 2024), a year after wrapping up his secondary education with national exams in Homa Bay County.

The 19-year-old is preparing to represent Kenya at the tournament as one of the youngest participants.

Odongo recently completed Form Four and, in his very first season in the top-tier league, earned a place in the final 25-man Harambee Stars squad for CHAN, a tournament that features only locally based players.

Odongo’s rise

His journey to the national team has been meteoric. After leading Homa Bay County to victory at a youth tournament organised by the Ministry of Sports, Odongo’s talent was quickly noticed by top-flight scouts. Despite interest from several clubs, he chose Shabana FC for his professional debut.

His impact was immediate. In the second half of the season alone, the teenage midfielder found the net seven times and provided two assists, firmly establishing himself as a key player for the club. He adapted quickly to the demands of top-level football and attributes his rapid growth to the supportive environment at Shabana.

This is not Odongo’s first brush with the national team setup. He was previously included in Kenya’s provisional squad for the U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, though he missed out on final selection. That experience, however, only fueled his determination, and now, he stands on the verge of his first senior international cap.

With Kenya set to face DR Congo in their opening match at the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani on Sunday, August 3, 2025, Odongo could make his debut on one of the biggest platforms in African football.

Meanwhile, as scouts from across the continent descend on East Africa for CHAN 2024, the teenager has a golden chance to turn heads and take his talents beyond local borders.

If his CHAN performances match the promise he’s already shown, Odongo might secure a future with the national team and even earn recognition across the African football scene. The youngster will be keen to help his country past Group A, which comprises DR Congo, Morocco, Angola and Zambia.