Henry Ochieng's maiden senior Harambee Stars call-up has sparked mixed reactions among Kenyan football supporters, with some fans questioning his credentials and urging him to turn down the invitation.Head coach Benni McCarthy named the Slough Town captain in his final squad for Kenya's double-header against South Africa in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.##NAJAVA_MECA_10095213##However, what should have been a moment of celebration for the midfielder quickly turned into an uncomfortable introduction to the demands of international football after his announcement attracted a barrage of criticism on social media.Ochieng, who will compete for a place in midfield alongside Stade Rennes' Manzur Okwaro, Alwyn Tera and Zak Vyner, took to his social media accounts to express his excitement, simply posting: "Honoured."His announcement, however, did not receive the warm reception he might have expected, with several supporters questioning his identity, club level and suitability for the national team.The biggest point of contention was his club, Slough Town, which competes in the sixth tier of English football, a level that has been likened to Kenya's FKF Sub-County League.Mariga, six others ousted at chaotic FKF SGM in MeruSome fans argued that there were better midfield options playing in Kenya who deserved consideration ahead of him, while others openly challenged him to prove his worth on the pitch."Decline the honour or we will be here to boo you for the rest of the game. You and your master," wrote Cevin Owuor.Bevon Ngoge was equally unimpressed, asking: "Who are you?"Another supporter commented: "Henry, you're not better than me," while a different fan challenged him to use the opportunity to silence his critics, writing: "Never heard of you before. Prove me wrong on the pitch."##NAJAVA_MECA_10095272##Despite the criticism, the former Orient man also received messages of encouragement, including from UK-based sports journalist Duncan MacKay, who has sponsored his shirt at Slough Town."Great news that @HenryOchieng_, whose shirt I sponsor at @sloughtownfc, has been called up for Kenya @Harambee__Stars for the AFCON qualifiers. Wonderful reward for Henry, who has only recently returned to action after more than a year out because of injury. Congratulations Henry!" MacKay wrote.The midfielder's football journey began in East London, where his performances at grassroots level for Buckhurst Hill earned him a move to the West Ham United Academy in 2009.He spent six years developing at the Hammers before moving to Leyton Orient in 2015, where he took his first steps into senior football and made his first-team debut for Orient in November 2016, and went on to feature in League Two before leaving the club in 2018.Shabana edge Mombasa United in dramatic five-goal thriller to break into top 4His departure marked the beginning of a period in which he moved between several clubs in the English football pyramid, including Braintree Town, Welwyn Garden City and Wingate & Finchley.His performances in non-league football eventually earned him a move to the Republic of Ireland, where he joined Cork City, a League of Ireland Premier Division side, in January 2020.A year later, his progress attracted the attention of Watford, who handed him an opportunity with their Under-23 side as he continued developing his game.12 dropped as Benni McCarthy names final Harambee Stars squad for South Africa double-headerOchieng subsequently returned to English football in search of regular first-team opportunities, turning out for Billericay Town and Chelmsford City, with a brief spell at National League outfit Aldershot Town in 2023.His career took another positive turn when he joined Slough Town on a free transfer in July 2024.He quickly established himself at Arbour Park, enjoying an impressive debut campaign in the 2024/25 season that saw him collect the Manager's Player of the Season, Players' Player of the Season and Supporters' Player of the Season awards.His influence within the team earned him the captain's armband ahead of the following campaign, underlining the trust placed in him by the club.##NAJAVA_MECA_10095254##However, his progress was interrupted in October 2025 when he suffered a serious anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury that kept him out of action for more than a year.Rather than walk away, the midfielder worked his way back to fitness and eventually returned to the pitch, before committing his future to Slough Town through a contract extension running until June 2027.His standing at the club was further demonstrated in September 2026 when he was entrusted with joint-interim managerial responsibilities alongside John Goddard and Ryan Case during a crucial managerial transition.Ulinzi Starlets coach Collins Ochieng earns promotion to Warrant Officer Class II in KDFAlthough the South Africa assignment will mark his first involvement with the senior Harambee Stars team, it will not be his first experience representing Kenya.He previously featured for the Kenya Under-23 side, popularly known as the Emerging Stars, making his international debut on 14 November, 2018, against Mauritius in a 2019 Africa U23 Cup of Nations qualifier.