All okay: Otiala's ankle injury in preseason cup final deemed not serious

Kariobangi Sharks defender Kevin Luke Otiala did not suffer sustainable damage to his right ankle and is highly expected to be ready for the team’s first game of the season against Kenya Police on 26 August.

The former St. Joseph’s Youth player went down in the second half of his side’s Elite Pre-season Cup final at the Kasarani Annex Grounds on Friday 1 August and after receiving long medical attention on the ground, hobbled off to the team bench, all while being assisted by the medical staff and placing little weight on the affected foot.

“It was slightly innocuous because the Bidco player landed directly on the ankle,” Otiala, who skippered Sharks all through the tournament said. “I am glad that it wasn’t that serious. Apart from the swelling that has since subsided, I have undergone some checks and it is nothing serious.”

The center-back, who conspicuously played in the defensive midfield position in their pool matches against Sofapaka FC, Kajiado and Rainbow FC - which they all won - is expecting to spend a week with the club physiotherapist, where he will undergo rehab in readiness for the 2023-24 season.

“The good thing now is that I can walk and if everything goes well, I should have a chance in our first game of the season,” Otiala said, mentioning that no timeline on his recovery was registered.

The 25 year old, who was recently called up to Kenya’s provisional squad in June, has had a rough record with injuries, with his last one - a lateral collateral ligament strain on his knee - suffered in January, keeping him out of the team for close to four months out.

His comeback from it was 26 April, when he clocked 90 minutes in a 2-1 loss to Mathare United.

Prior to his return, he suffered a setback after he got knocked in the team’s training session in March, while it looked like a ramp up from the injury was going all smoothly.

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“Just thinking about how football life and careers can flip in seconds,” the former St. Joseph's Youth player said then of his time out with injury. “It wasn't easy but I thank the team for being close to me and keeping me motivated. We met up with the players in the gym and I coasted just brilliantly. It was pure hard work that got me back.”

Looking forward, despite falling to Bidco in the preseason final - where goals from Chris Ochieng and a Stephen Biko own goal either side of a Donald Ange equalizer sealed a 2-1 win for Anthony Akhulia’s side - Otiala believed the team learnt valuable lessons that will come in handy to improve on come the new season.