Philemon Otieno has described his maiden call up to the Kenya’s senior men’s national team Harambee Stars as a “dream come true.”
The Gor Mahia midfielder cum defender is among 24 players summoned to camp Saturday by the new Stars’ French coach Sabastien Migne for two upcoming warm-ups against Swaziland and Equatorial Guinea.
“I feel good, it’s a dream come true because it’s every player’s dream to play for his national team,” the 26-year-old former Ushuru FC man told Soka25east in an exclusive interview.
“The journey has not been easy as you know there are a lot of talented players in Kenya and for one to be noticed by national team selectors you must work hard and show that you are among the best,” the soft spoken added.
Many may not know but, Philemon or Mbish, as he is nicknamed, is no stranger to national duty. He captained both the U17 and the U20 national sides during the 2007 and the 2008 CECAFA championships respectively.
His senior career, however, started to grab attention when he joined record Kenyan champions Gor Mahia from National Super League side Ushuru FC last year under Brazilian coach Ze Maria.
At first it was not apparent how he would fit in the star-studded K’Ogalo midfield that had veteran Collins “Gattuso” Okoth and Ernest Wendo, who was rapidly growing in the team, but a window opened when Okoth fell out with the Brazillian gaffer and he grabbed the opportunity with both hands.
His partnership with Wendo become important for the team as they bagged the 2017 Kenyan Premier League title and booked a ticket to play continental football the following year.
The current season presented a different challenge for him when two of Gor’s dependable right full backs Wellington Ochieng’ and Burundian Karim Nizigiyimana sustained long term injuries.
With limited options in terms of experience and grit, coach Dylan Kerr turned to Philemon for the qualities he needed in the important role, and so far the English manager has no regrets.
Gor are yet to beaten at home in the league and have thus far not conceded a goal at home in the CAF Confederation Cup.
It is his superb performances in this new role that earned him his maiden call up to senior Harambee Stars.
“So far so good and I want to thank coach Kerr because after Karim and Wellington sustained injuries he called me and told me he wanted me to play in the right back position which I accepted.
“Besides my role model is former Ghana international Michael Essien and I used to watch him play different positions at Chelsea and coach Jose Mourinho so it was easy for me to adjust my mind to the new challenge.
“So far each and every day I learn new things and before games I do get advice from Wellington and Karim, who have been advising me on how I should operate in the position and truly speaking I respect them a lot.”
Philemon will not be lonely at Stars as he will have company in his defense partners Joash Onyango and skipper Harun Shakava.
In total, Gor Mahia have contributed seven players to the national team.
Stars will play Swaziland on 25th before taking on Equatorial Guinea three days later.
Full Squad;
Goalkeepers
Patrick Matasi (Posta Rangers), Boniface Oluoch (Gor Mahia), Timothy Odhiambo (Ulinzi Stars)
Defenders
Jockins Atudo (Posta Rangers), Musa Mohammed (Unnatached), Harun Shakava (Gor Mahia), Joash Onyango (Gor Mahia), Bolton Omwenga (Kariobangi Sharks), Michael Kibwage (AFC Leopards), Philemon Otieno (Gor Mahia), Eric Ouma (KF Tirana)
Midfielders
Ismael Gonzalez (CF Fuenlabrada, Spain), Victor Wanyama (Tottenham Hotspurs, England), McDonald Mariga (Real Oviedo, Spain), Ayub Timbe (Heilongjiang, China), Humphrey Mieno (Gor Mahia), Francis Kahata (Gor Mahia), George Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Duncan Otieno (AFC Leopards), Whyvonne Isuza (AFC Leopards)
Strikers
Masud Juma (Cape Town City, South Africa), Pistone Mutamba (Wazito FC), Ovella Ochieng (Kariobangi Sharks)
Reserve Players
Michael Olunga (Girona FC, Spain), Marvin Omondi (AFC Leopards), Patillah Omotto (Kariobangi Sharks), Dennis Sikhayi (AFC Leopards), Johnstone Omurwa (Mathare United), Jafari Owiti (AFC Leopards), Robert Arot (Nakuru All Stars), Geoffrey Shiveka (Kariobangi Sharks), Chrispin Oduor (Mathare United)
