Gor Mahia midfielder Phileomo Otieno vows to return stronger, ahead of his knee surgery set to sideline him for between seven and nine months.
Otieno suffered a cruciate ligament injury, during Harambee Stars African Nations Championship qualifier second leg against Tanzania at the Moi Stadium, Kasarani earlier this month.
The Kenyan international, who was part of the Kenyan team to the 2019 African Cup of Nations in Egypt, is set to undergo the surgery in France.
Gor Mahia team doctor Fredrick Otieno, said: “Otieno damaged his cruciate ligament and is likely to sit out at least seven months after surgery.“ Added Freddy.
Football Kenya Federation is working on the logistics of having Philemon head to France, and he’s due anytime. An insider within the local governing body confirmed the plans are underway, and it's only a matter of time before he jets out.
The utility player, who can fit in both midfield and defence says he will definitely miss football which is his fulltime job but hopes to come back stronger. Otieno coincidentally switched to right-back, after former teammate Karim Nizigiyimana suffered a long-time knee injury and believes they have enough depth to cover his absence.
26-year-old Otieno 26, who joined Gor from National Super League side Ushuru in 2016 on a three-year deal, also dismissed reports that he had planned to abandon K'Ogalo in search of greener pastures soon after the Afcon.
“I had a great season having won the KPL title, reached the CAF Confederation Cup quarter-finals and played in the AFCON. I am still a Gor Mahia player and will only concentrate on my current situation as I pray for full recovery,” said Otieno.
The record 18-time KPL champions, begin their title defence against Tusker on Sunday at Moi Stadium, Kisumu under new coach, Steven Polack, who replaced Hassan Oktay.
In his first assignment, Polack saw off nemesis Bandari FC 1-0 to clinch the Super Cup, before blanking Burundian side Aglier Noir 5-1 on aggregate to qualify for the second round preliminaries of 2019/20 Caf Champions League.
