Former Stars captain Otieno hangs boots after 20 years on the field

By Gilbert Wandera

Former Harambee Stars captain Musa ‘Otero’ Otieno has retired after a brilliant career spanning 20 years.

Otieno is back home after completing his 13th season in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) with Cape Town-based Sanlam Santos.

The 38-year-old defender said in an interview with Feverpitch that he wants to focus on building his foundation established five years ago in Jericho where his football career was nurtured.

"There is a lot to do at home and that is why I have decided to come back. More work needs to be done on the Foundation and I am glad that I can devote my time to it now that I am free," he said.

Former international Sammy Sholei welcomed Otieno into campaign team saying the former Harambee Stars captain has a lot to offer.

"I have been speaking with him for a long time and he had told me about his decision to retire. I hope to convince him to join me so that together we can build the sport," said Sholei, who is gunning for the top post when football elections are held next month.

NATIONS CUP

Otieno retired from international football in 2009 when Harambee Stars lost 3-2 to Nigeria in a deciding Africa Cup/World Cup qualifier at Kasarani.

He had been recalled back from a self-imposed retirement one year earlier and was hoping to go out on a high.

His greatest achievement in a long time career for the national team was guiding the side to the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Tunisia.

Prior to retiring from the international scene, Otieno had been the longest serving member of the national team having played for it between 1993 to 2009.

He began his career at Tusker in 1994 before joining AFC Leopards briefly. He then became one of the first few Kenyans to play in the PSL when he signed for Sanlam Santos in 1997.

He made over 300 appearances and scored over 30 goals for Santos where he was named captain in the last four years of his playing career. His highest moment at Santos was winning the PSL Championship in the 2002 season.

He also won the Bob Save Super Bowl in 2001 with Santos, the BP Top 8 in 2002, and the ABSA Cup in 2003.

He was named the South African Premier League Player of the Year in 2007. In 2008 he briefly joined Cleveland City Stars in the United States of America, making his debut as a 64th minute substitute going on to score a goal and helped the club win the US League two title.