Talanta Hela U19 boys capped off their Easter holiday with a resounding victory, prevailing over Spanish side Eldense FC with a scoreline of 4-2 in a friendly match held on Monday at the Nastic Training Ground.
The win served as a sweet redemption for the Kenyan youngsters, who sought to bounce back after suffering a 5-1 defeat at the hands of CD Castellon, another Spanish lower-tier team, just days prior.
Leading the charge for Talanta Hela was none other than Austin Odongo, the 2024 Costa Daurada’s top point scorer, who put on a stellar performance by netting a hat-trick during the encounter.
The match witnessed its first goal in the 19th minute when Ismael Odhiambo found the back of the net with a powerful header off a corner kick delivered by Samuel Indonyi, giving the Kenyan side a well-deserved lead going into halftime.
However, it was in the second half where Odongo truly shone, showcasing his scoring prowess by notching goals in the 60th, 65th, and 74th minutes, much to the delight of his teammates and fans alike.
Despite his impressive performance, the 17-year-old striker from Ebwali High School in Vihiga County expressed a sense of dissatisfaction, lamenting that he had set his sights on scoring even more goals during their time in Spain.
“The game has been good. We came to learn. At least today I have scored three goals. It motivates me to score more goals in the future. Scoring is my job. That is why I pushed myself to the limit to propel the team to higher levels,” Odongo remarked, reflecting on his performance.
“I have not achieved my dreams. My target was to score many goals but it has already happened. Next time I will score many goals. This tournament had limited matches, so I did not perform well. If I played enough time, I would have scored even 12 goals,” he added, emphasizing his hunger for success and determination to excel on the field.
Despite his personal reflections, Odongo expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Sports through the Kenya Academy of Sports for facilitating the Spain tour, acknowledging the invaluable lessons and experiences gained during their time abroad.
“I have learned a lot like discipline, timekeeping, and being at our best. If we follow the coaches’ instructions, it will be good. They are experienced and help us grow,” he concluded, highlighting the importance of mentorship and guidance in nurturing young talent.
With their Spanish tour now concluded, the boys of Talanta Hela will shift their focus to supporting their female counterparts as they prepare to take on Calafell in their upcoming match.
As they bid farewell to Spain, the Kenyan youngsters carry with them not only memories of hard-fought victories but also valuable lessons that will undoubtedly shape their journey in the world of football.
