Nairobi United Defender Excited to Link Up with Ryan Ogam Again After Maiden Harambee Stars Call-Up

Nairobi United left-back Kevin Otiende has opened up about his first Harambee Stars call-up and reuniting with his former teammate Ryan Ogam.

Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy reinforced his squad for the November international window with the surprise inclusion of the young defender.

The Nairobi United left-back received his maiden call-up to the senior national team. Kevin Otiende's selection comes as one of three late changes to the provisional squad, which is set to face formidable opposition in Equatorial Guinea and Senegal during the friendlies in Turkey.

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Rainbow FC served as a vital early platform for Ryan Ogam and Kevin Otiende. During their tenure together, the duo formed a key part of the team's defensive and midfield structure.

Ryan Ogam, before his explosive transition to a striker, was an instrumental midfielder for Rainbow FC. Kevin Otiende, on the other hand, was a reliable presence in the backline, occupying a fullback position. Now, Kevin Otiende and Ryan Ogam will reunite for Harambee Stars' two friendly matches.

“I feel so good, and this is something I’m very excited about. I thank God for it…I also appreciate my teammates and the whole technical bench because without them, I could not be here. It feels great to be reunited with Ryan Ogam, and I would just say it’s God’s timing and hard work,” Kevin Otiende told the media.

Kevin Otiende further expressed his excitement and determination after earning his first-ever call-up to the Harambee Stars senior team.

Otiende said that he was fully committed to giving everything he had and hoped to make a meaningful contribution to the squad.

The Nairobi United defender admitted that when he first received the news, he was overwhelmed with surprise because he had never been selected before, despite being part of Kenya’s football system from the Under-17 level onward.

After years of waiting and hoping, he explained that finally being recognised at a senior level felt like a proud and emotional milestone, and he looked forward to proving that he deserved his place in the national team.

“I’m going to give my all, and I want to add my value there…This is my first call-up, and when I saw it, I could not believe it. From the Under-17 to all those call-ups, I never received anything but now in the senior category, I’m happy to finally get my call-up,” he added.

Meanwhile, Benni McCarthy also called up Gor Mahia duo Bryton Onyona and Sharif Musa to the national team squad for the November friendlies.