Brian Opondo: Photo Credit - Tusker FC Media.
Tusker goalkeeper Brian Opondo has discussed his inclusion in the Kenya national team Harambee Stars squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifying matches terming it as a “massive challenge”.
The 23-year-old was among new faces summoned by new Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy ahead of the two Group F qualifiers against Gambia and Gabon. Though he was part of the Kenya U-20 team in 2021, Opondo believes his first call up to the senior team provides a great opportunity in shaping his career.
“It feels really great to get this call up. This is a massive challenge and I believe it is the product of what I have been doing; hard work pays. This is an opportunity that everyone wishes they got and I don’t take it for granted,” said Opondo as quoted by Tusker official website.
Opondo has struggled this season with injuries, and since returning for Tusker, he has managed to keep six clean sheets in eight Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League matches, and conceding only twice.
“It was really difficult and quite a challenging time especially with injury coming that early in the season. But I never lost hope, I kept working hard to recover and come back to good shape. I always pushed myself and my teammates always pushed me as well,” he explained.
“When I joined Tusker, I stayed for almost one season without playing. But I didn’t lose my head and I kept working knowing that anyone who passes through coach Dunco’s (Duncan Ochieng) arms, always ends up successful. I always motivated myself that everyone has their oen time and mine will come.”
Apart from Opondo, other keepers in McCarthy’s provisional squad include Faruk Shikhalo (Bandari FC), Ian Otieno (Richards Bay), and Brian Bwire (Polokwane City). Kenya will face Gambia on Thursday, March 20, at Stade Alasane Ouattara in Ivory Coast.
After their match against Gambia, the team will return home to take on Gabon at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi on Sunday, March 23.
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