As Kenyans wait in eagerly for the highly anticipated AFCON 2019, Philemon Otieno is expected to be at the core of defence and will line up on the right back position.
Indeed, the Stars will open with a difficult game, looking to challenge African giants Algeria in the opening of the match on June 30th, 2019.
Which means that Otieno will have to defend against some of the most deadly strikers in the world such as Manchester City’s amazing dribbler and forward, Riyad Mahrez.
Additionally, he will have to keep the backline against the likes of Senegal’s forward Keita Balde.
Let’s not forget the tantalizing and terrorizing individual from Tanzania’s attacker Mbwana Samatta that has developed a keen sense of netting in the goals and splitting defenders on the left-hand side.
That being said, the Gor Mahia defender is confident that he will do Harambee Stars proud in the backline and ensure that no goal will be allowed during the tournament.
Additionally, Otieno insists that he is confident of performing marvelously with the Harambee Stars as the team prepares to make a name for themselves this 2018.
“I do not want to tell you we will beat so and so or not because I honestly don’t know,” he explained.
“But I know that we will be best prepared for all our assignments in Egypt. Playing on the continent has made me a better player. I can feel it,” he told Nation Sport.
“For example,” he adds when asked to substantiate, “there are matches we played (while on club duty) very well, like in Angola (against Petro) and Algeria (away to NA Hussein Dey), but still lost.
Now we know it is a different level of competition and there is no room for mistakes even if we are human.”
“We have to believe and play very well as we did against Ghana at home (during the qualification campaign).
“Our mentality will be key. Even if we are facing some of the best players in the world at the Nations Cup, we will not sit back and admire them as they play. We will fight.”
Besides Otieno, Migne has also picked Gor Mahia’s Joash Onyango and Francis Kahata for the continental showpiece with this trio primed to contribute significantly to Kenya’s cause.