‘I feel buzzing’ – Kenya’s Oduor inspired after Bradford’s Carabao Cup-winning penalty
By Joel Sang, August 9, 2023Kenya’s utility star Clarke Oduor feels inspired after helping Bradford City progress to Round Two of the Carabao Cup at the expense of Accrington Stanley.
The Harambee Star scored the last and winning penalty on Tuesday, August 8, which sealed his team’s place in the next round of the English domestic tournament.
The win came after City’s season-opening loss to Crawley Town, and Oduor has said the 4-1 penalty shootout win after a 1-1 draw against Stanley was what they needed to bounce back.
Inspired Oduor
“I feel buzzing; it is always good to win, no matter the circumstances. Obviously, it did not go to plan on Saturday against Crawley, and we needed to bounce back.
“We came here knowing we had to win to kickstart our season, and we did that. I think we did step up, to be honest. We started the game well, and even when we conceded, it can be easy to let your head drop.
“We stuck to it, and the back three remained solid. I am proud of how we continued to threaten and finished the game off in a penalty shootout. We showed great character. By sticking together, we ground out the victory,” Oduor said.
In the league’s game, Oduor played as a left wingback, but against Stanley, he was fielded as a right wingback. He said that to be successful in the penalty shootout, confidence is an important ingredient.
“Penalties will always leave one party upset, but when you win it, the feeling is incredible. It sounds simple and cliché, but you have to pick a spot, stick with it, and not change your mind.
“Knowing how composed we were, is always good for going forward in this competition. You want lads who are confident and ready to produce.
“I am definitely excited to kick off our season at home. To play in front of all these fans is a feeling I have wanted to experience since I arrived,” he added.
Colchester focus
The Bantams’ No. 12 hopes that they will pick up a win when they host Colchester United at the University of Bradford Stadium on Saturday.
“It will be so good at home. They were nuts down here [against Stanley] and at Crawley on Saturday.
“We did not start the season as we wanted to, but it is a long season. The aim is to lay more markers down on Saturday and get our first win in the league,” he concluded.
Oduor was Bradford’s first summer signing when he completed a move from Barnsley.