
Sofapaka defender eyes strong come back
Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 03.04.21. | 15:07
Otieno has been battling a recuuring ankle injury since November last year
Youthful Sofapaka defender Stephen Otieno was charting a clear path to stardom until an ankle injury punctured his progress late last year before the 2020-2021 season kicked off.
The 20- year old who was barely a season old in the top flight had been included in the Harambee Stars reserve squad which was preparing for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier build-up match against Zambia in October last year.
The then Stars boss Francis Kimanzi who was seeking to register the first win in pool G of the qualifiers against minnows Comoros handed the rookie an opportunity to train with the big boys in the camp which comprised of both local and foreign-based player, raising his profile.
Otieno who can be deployed as a right-back however failed to break to the provisional team but left the camp with an intention of impressing the national team technical bench in the league matches in a bid to be considered in the final qualifiers.
Commonly known as Fadhela, he was expected to walk into the Sofapaka starting team this season by virtue of the exposure he earned from training with the national team but an ankle injury during the preseason curtailed his dream.
The former Kinyago United defender has just had to contend with two starts against Kariobangi Sharks and Zoo Kericho but he hopes to use the break triggered by the indefinite suspension of sporting activities to find a permanent solution to his ankle.
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"Were it not for the ankle injury I suffered during the preseason, I believe I would have graced the final AFCON qualifier against Egypt and Togo. I have really seen limited playing time this season due to the injury which keeps on coming back. I hope by the time the league resumes I will have healed completely," he said
In the absence of Otieno, Sofapaka head coach Kennedy Odhiambo had been alternating Isaac Mitima and David Nshimirimana as Michael Kibwage's partner at the heart of the defense.











