One on one with new sensation Anthony Otieno
Courtesy of Kenyastar.co.ke
He says that his role model is Didier Drogba and wonders where the name Balotelli, later Balotieno came from; but all the same he says he does not mind the name given to him by the Gor fans. He also adds that he is not as rude as the Manchester City striker and says that people should not mistake him for that.
Though many think he is just another rural boy whose striking prowess was seen by K’ogalo during their pre-season tour, the budding striker has a rich CV that has seen him attend successful trials in Italy.
Otieno started playing soccer for Kisumu youth Olympic before moving to Kakamega high school. After that, current Harambee Stars assistant coach Yussuf Chippo noticed his prowess and took him to Bandari where he played for half a season before they were relegated. He had several Harambee Stars call ups but his lack of a passport reduced his chances of prominently featuring for the national team.
After Bandari, he moved to City Stars where he had a short stint, then moved to Mathare before being finally picked at Malindi United academy. This was his stepping stone to European links.
“When I moved to Malindi United, I can say that is where my career took off because there I found a very good coach called Ricardo Bota who also happens to be my manager. He taught me so many things in football and he has also helped me attend trials in Italy”, says Balotieno.
“The first time I set foot outside this country was when we went for an under 19 tournament in Umbria Italy. We played against very big names in soccer and we only lost to Italy in the finals”, he adds.
After the Under 19 tournament, he came back to Kenya but went back to Italy where he stayed for four months for trials. He attended trials at AS Roma and Serie C side American Latina where he was successful and was picked.
“I was picked by Latina and they told me to wait so that they sort out the work permit issues but up to now, they have not gotten back to me, though I am hopeful. If I manage to get the permit, then my manager will talk to Gor and Latina so that they can get to a deal”
After the Italy trials is when he moved back to Kenya and decided to go back to his village in Kisumu as he waited for good tidings from Italy. It was during this wait that K’ogalo stumbled upon him.
“I decided to wait in Kisumu for the work permit but when still there, I decided to play for Kisumu combined. I played a match against Gor Mahia when they were on pre season tour and they picked me. I played in their final two tours”, says Otieno.
At the prospect of playing for Gor Mahia;
“Gor Mahia is a very big team, a community team with so much potential. I am very happy to be playing for this team and I am glad that at least I have found somewhere to settle”, he says.
To the Gor Mahia fans, he promises to give the best;
“I want to work very hard and I promise Gor fans that I will do my best for them. I do not think the pressure from the fans who are always demanding for results will crumble me. I have the experience because I have played infront of big crowds in Europe and I think I can handle the pressure pretty well”
“I am very happy to be playing continental soccer because it is a bigger stage in football. With the kind of team that Gor Mahia has I know that we will go far” he concludes.
The predatory striker hit the back of the net twice during his first day of training with Gor Mahia.
Editor Plea:
Lets yield to the lads wishes and give him a nickname different from “Balotelli”. He is clearly unimpressed by that name and will cringe each time he is called that. Or better still let him play and earn a nickname. An original nickname. Remember the likes of Blackberry only received a nickname after they earned it.
Am very happy becouse i know Antony he has been to Liberty acardemy wth Ghost and he came from Ahero,he is simply the best,he was wth the likes of Noa Abich and Hamphry Mieno,thank God for bringing Antony home.
I am happy to see that the lad has a good head on his shoulders and understands that only hard work will take him places. Just look at where the promising Paul Were has ended up. He should be in Denmark or Sweden by now.
Its also good that he has received a good grounding in the fundamentals of football from malindi football academy. (good by Kenyan standards)
Otieno wuod Ahero if you are listening, just continue to work hard on doing the basics right. Soon you will achieve your dream of playing in Europe. A dream that has been deferred.
Otieno just work hard and stay focussed ! dont rush into signing dubious contracts with foreign european clubs. Kogallo is as good as top tier european club ( offcourse with some hard work and alot of financial investments )…..
The lad, welcome to the team that play best football in the country. Gor Mahia is a big team and we wish to welcome you to where your football will go far.
Just work hard and the sky will be your limit.
I saw this boy on Citizen tv and he looks good. I can’t help but think that this season Kogalo will perform extremely well. Am definitely using my last few days of leave to watch the training sessions at City Stadium.
So the young man has been around …. Bandari, Malindi Academy, City Stars, Europe…. I believe all that experience will auger well for him as he settles down at Gor.
I CAN’T WAIT FOR THE SEASON TO START – IT IS MOUTH WATERING !!!
I wonder how he must have sliped past the Mathare organisation – they are usually good at holding-on to thier good players …… their loss is Gor’s gain !!
Sign of good tidings like i said b4 theres now compe for every position frm keeper to no.11,this with a competent technical bench means the sky is the limit.The 12th man is ready so bring them on. GOR BIRO
Job well done and is happy every position now has atleast 2 people and that will increase compe.I still think something needs to be done in central defense as we only have Anguyo, Owino and Musa. Also just but a thot, let Teddy vie for a number in midfield with the likes of Gattuso and not in central defense position. i am loyal….K’Ogalo wang’ni………..
the way this wind is blowing amazes me.we have a good oga in training with Gor for this central defence headache.everything is finally falling into place.
just what I recommended two days ago.Please now confirm to us the final list of the playing unit for the season ending 2012.Give us a rota of the players we are preparing to cheer to victory in all the cup-competitions this year.Please confirm whether we have signed Ato Ayong, Peter Juma and Victor Ali Abondo.We need to have a rock solid defence just to prove to the League that Mayienga does not depend on one player and that we are (unbwogable and unyiengable)Good luck to the Green Army.
Appetizing to say the least… With Rama Salim and Balotieno, that front line will be fyam. Kazi ianze.
We are getting there. Now we need to gijve them the support as 12th player. encourage them at all times. e must live to our dream of being the continental team. With these signings we are headed there. Otieno wuod ahero jakano wadwa i trust your prowess. Welcome to Kogala Kidi lwanda maidho tek. cheers guys
where was Gor Mahia from?Gem?Asembo?Kano?
Awilo must be given somthing. Days when kogalo had no money to pay players. players could walk to stadium and Awilo was there. Rachier and the office please awilo must be there. That is the only way we can reward loyalty. If we treat him badly then new players will never have faith and or loyalty with the Team. This must be part of the discussion in any next meeting ya ofisi. please please please. Luo culture do not allow a bad send off for a loyal servant. we cannot afford to do that. guys
Ojole your comment….Luo culture do not allow a bad send off for a loyal servant !!!
true…there must be a way then we can honour all former gor mahia players who have been a servant of this great club.singling out awilo might sound unfair to former greats/ legends like peter dawo , david ochieng kamoga e.t.c
in other countries such people becoming instant club legends. i think we should do the same and as a minimum make the legends.
@Gem kendgi Gor came from Kanyamwa Mirogi dhiwa Homabay county,
This time round with the signings gor made am sure we wil make wonders.
Lets nickname the lad ‘rooney’! Anthony ‘rooney’ otieno!