Budding Liberty Academy forward keen to emulate Olunga

Fast-rising Liberty Academy and national U20 forward Selassie Otieno is craving to follow the footsteps of Harambee Stars forward Michael Olunga who is graduate of the academy. 

Olunga an has proved to be the best ambassador for the Nairobi based academy would have ever asked for courtesy of excelling in all the club's he has featured for. 

Otieno who is currently on a season-long loan to former champions AFC Leopards did not shy from labeling Olunga as his idol and promised to double his efforts in a bid to mirror his football journey. 

The youngster who joined the academy last year from Nzoia Sugar said he was borrowing goal poaching skills from Olunga's videos which he noted had made him better over the years. 

"I believe I am the next Olunga who is my role model. Through hard work, he rose from the academy and is now conquering the world. I always spend a large chunk of my fre time watching his videos which feel have made me a better player," he said. 

Otieno, a Ofafa Jericho Secondary School alumnus also claimed that rubbing shoulders with another Kenyan international Elvis Rupia at the den had made him better. 

The soaring forward joined Ingwe at the start of the season but he is yet to make his debut courtesy of the competition for playing time from Rupia and the duo of Bienvenue Shaka and Hansel Ochieng. 

"I am also learning a lot from my teammates at Leopards especially Rupia. He is a forward who needs half a chance to score and helps the team is defending too. In as much as he is the reason I am yet to be considered for playing time, he inspires me to work hard too, " he praised. 

Meanwhile, Otieno has revealed why Leopards won his signature ahead of Gor Mahia Youth and Kariobangi Sharks who were interested in his services.

 The former Chemelil Sugar player said former Leopards gaffer Anthony Kimani played a crucial role in luring him to join the club as well as his teammates in the U20 squad. 

"I had received offers from three clubs but Leopards had a better program for my development. Coach Kimani likes giving young players a chance and hence could not turn down his call to join. The club had given the duo of Collins Shichenje and Austin Odhiambo whom I played with in the U20 the chance and ended up establishing themselves as starters, " he added.