Otieno sets sights on Defender of the Season award

Rock solid defender Brian Otieno portrayed the potential of a player whose career was on an upward trajectory in 2019 after he was named the third best defender in the top flight.

Otieno had helped Bandari to a runner up finish in the league race and his partnership with Felly Mulumba at the heart of the defence was hailed for shielding forwards out of the reach of Faruk Shikalo’s goal. The latter would scoop the ‘Golden Glove’ after keeping the most cleansheets.

The decent show Otieno put in 2019 won him his maiden Harambee Stars call up and was billed to spur him to the next level of his career. However, the burly defender found it tough in maintaining the standards he had set in the subsequent season and the past one as he been finding comfort on the bench.

His reduced appearances and cascaded form can be partly be attributed to the exit of coach Bernard Mwalala who would get the best out of him and the return of Bernard Odhiambo from long term injury and the lengthy disruption of sporting activities last year.

Otieno is silently praying that all goes to his script this season as he intends to regain his form and win the Defender of the Year award and knock the Stars door again.

Otieno patiently waiting for Ghost Mulee's call

“Things didn’t go well in the past two seasons due to a number of reasons but that is history. I am focusing on getting consistent playing time and regain my form. I am pushing hard to get the nod from the bench and help the team attain its objectives. Given the opportunity, I will fight and win individual accolades,” he said.

The former Nzoia Sugar player’s ambition will face a fierce test as coach Andre Casa Mbungo has acquired additional centre backs in Andrew Juma and the league winning Rodgers Aloro. Despite the congestion and competition from the five other centre halves, Otieno believes that his hard work will procure him a place in the starting team.

“The competition makes me better and also strengthens the team. Every player wants to do what he does best but those who go the extra mile enjoy it more,” he remarked.

Otieno, a former student at Ambira Boys High School in the meantime tipped the coastal club to win the elusive league crown. He said the management had shopped for quality players capable of wrestling the title from Tusker’s hands.