After a dreadful four months out in the cold, Kariobangi Sharks defender and captain Kevin Luke Otiala finally gleaned at the sight of his name on the starting lineup as his side played Mathare United in a rainy Slum Derby on Tuesday afternoon at the Kasarani Annex grounds.“Relief. A huge relief,” Otiala told Mozzart Sport after the 2-1 win for Sharks – one that ended the team’s four-game winless streak. “It’s been a tough time out of action and just for me to resume training with the team and finally show up in a Premier League game? I am just so grateful.” he went on.The return of Sharks skipper Kevin Luke Otiala🔥Hopefully he will have a good game— Meshack Kisenge (@kisengemeshack1) April 25, 2023 Otiala’s story is two-fold.One that he suffered a nasty lateral collateral ligament strain on his knee during a league match against Kakamega Homeboyz at the Bukhungu at the start of the year, and the other, getting knocked in the team’s training session in March while it looked like a ramp up from the injury was going all smoothly.“It was just a normal defensive play on January 4,” Otiala said of his initial injury in detail. “I felt my knee just snap and the next few days were just me struggling with a swelling that could just go away. I was prescribed some drugs and therapy before embarking on excessive gym-work just to keep in shape.🚨 INJURY UPDATE.KevinLuke Otiala’s progression from week 1.Coordination and full body weight training.Week 2 done.#WeAreSharks pic.twitter.com/p7mufNgkDS— Kariobangi Sharks FC (@k_sharksfc) February 10, 2023 “Then after being cleared to join the team in scrimmages, my teammate landed on the knee and that was me done again.”The team announced his setback on 16th March and as per Otiala, getting himself back in contention with only seven matches left till the end of the season was ‘full of lessons.’Kariobangi Sharks captain set for a longer spell out“Just thinking about how football life and careers can flip in seconds,” the former St. Joseph’s Youth player said. “It wasn’t easy but I thank the team for being close to me and keeping me motivated. We met up with the players in the gym and I coasted just brilliantly.“It was pure hard work that got me back.”A vital win it was for his side as he played all 90 minutes while donning the captain’s armband, a comeback appearance he says ‘was not full on’ to his standards having not reached to his ultimate level yet.##NAJAVA_MECA_7208817##“I am not there yet,” the 24-year-old center-back said. “The body will of course take some time to readjust but it’s good that I get to start the process before next season.”On the team’s state, Otiala is hopeful that the team caps off the season on a high note, and that starts this weekend in a crucial fixture against Kakamega Homeboyz in the quarter finals of the Mozzart Bet Cup.“One game at a time and see what the future holds,” he concluded.
