Tusker head coach Robert Matano caught many by surprise when he drafted the club’s prodigy in the starting team during their league game against Posta Rangers played last Sunday at Kasarani Annex.Not many would have predicted that the youngster would have walked to the starting team given that the veteran club skipper Humphrey Mieno was available for selection after recovering from an injury that barred him contesting for game time last weekend.##NAJAVA_MECA_7050022##However, the league-winning gaffer handed the midfielder his first league starts even when he had the option of fielding Mieno whose experience, without a doubt, was needed as the club, sought to arrest the poor run.A youngster making his first league start obviously tags along with pressure but for Otieno, the counsel from Mieno made it seamless when he was thrown in the deep end.Otieno who is commonly known as Ngolo revealed that Mieno advised him on how to conduct himself on the pitch day to the encounter and in his own admission, the guidelines worked magic for the forty minutes he lasted on the pitch.Masinza’s second coming at Homeboyz promises better tidingsOtieno disclosed that his senior who commands more than a decade of top-flight experience offered advice on positioning, tackling and reading the game.“My first ever league start was a success. I had waited for it for months and I am happy we won the game. A day to the game, Mieno approached me and advised me on how to receive the ball, defend, delay in making a pass and how to press in order to regain possession. His advice and support from the team made it easy for me,” he opened up.Strength of a woman: Akisa’s magic hands that keeps Nzoia Sugar players fitOtieno who was promoted to the Tusker senior team before the season began after starring in the junior one, was withdrawn after suffering a groin injury just five minutes to the half time whistle.The Kibun Secondary School alumnus featured for the Tusker junior side for a season and a half before being promoted to the senior team.“Disappointed that I had to leave the pitch in the first half after overstretching my groin. I know I will come back strong and help the team defend the league title,” he added.
