Kariobangi Sharks centre back Kevin Luke Otiala is hoping to make it to the travelling party and make his Harambee Stars debut in the Four Nations Tournament scheduled to be held in Mauritius from 11-18 June 2023.Otiala, earned his first Stars call up on Monday when coach Engin Firat named his 30-man provisional squad for the tournament.The trio of Sofapaka goalkeeper Simon Masaka, Homeboyz forward Moses Shumah and Kenya Police midfielder Charles Ouma also secured maiden call ups to the team.##NAJAVA_MECA_7292597##With the local based team set to hit camp on Monday, Otiala says he will walk in, give his best and hope that it will be good enough to convince Firat that he is ripe for national team duties.“I am happy I landed my first call up to the national team. Just like any other player, I had the dream of being enlisted in the team. The ball is now on my court. Hopefully the hard work I intend to put in the camp will procure my debut,” he said.AFC Leopards, Sharks and moneybags Azam salivating at NSL top scorer Nyamawi BejaOtiala, one of the seven left-footed central defenders in the Football Kenya Federation scene joined Sharks last year from Division One side St. Joseph’s Youth.His leadership skills compelled coach William Muluya to name him the club captain ahead of senior players at the club.The 24-year old believes that scaling from the third tier to the top flight and having the door to the national team open is a sign that he is on course to achieve his career goals.“A lot has changed for the good from the time I put pen to paper at Sharks. I can only hope and work towards bettering myself,” he stated.Reacting to the responsibility of leading his colleagues at Sharks, Otiala likened donning the armband to an idea whose time had come.Against All Odds: The inspirational journey of Paul Jawa, refugee turned football starHe revealed that, he had turned down such an opportunity at the St. Joseph’s U15 and 18 teams and even the senior team.“The coaches I had worked with at St. Joseph’s before joining Sharks wanted to make me the captain but I refused. I couldn’t resist such an opportunity at Sharks for I believed that the coach saw something in me,” he added.
