By Augustine ‘Rio Flowers’ Mwanza
Zesco United goalkeeper Ian Otieno has nothing but praise for Zesco United’s all time top goalscorer, Kenyan talisman Jesse Jackson Were.
In an exclusive interview with the ZamFoot, The Kenya international described the former Tusker FC skipper as a very ambitious and hardworking player.
Otieno has spent the last two years with his compatriot at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium following his switch to the Ndola based outfit in January 2020 from Red Arrows.
“I would describe Jesse Were as a cool and kind person in General but also a very ambitious and Focused person as a Footballer,” Otieno told the ZamFoot Crew.
“For him to be captain and the record goal scorer speaks a lot about how much he offered,simply put he offered everything he could and he was the face of the team,” he added.
Otieno also revealed that the 32 year old ZESCO United legend helped him to settle after his switch from the Airmen.
“He really played a big role in me settling down ,him and David Owino made me feel so much at home so adapting to the coaches instructions and the teams target at large was easier,” he said.
Otieno added: A lot of young players really looked up to him ,he was a father to them they all admired the works he did.”
Were spent spent six years at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium and went on to win 4 Super League titles and 2 ABSA Cups at Zesco United as one of the best foreign acquisitions to have graced the local league in the last 2 decades.
Were had a prolific career at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium scoring 108 goals making him Zesco United’s all time leading scorer.
A player like that is likely to be missed by any team and Otieno is aware of the huge gap the departure of Were has left at Zega Mambo.
“He will be missed because he was just a simple person he was an encouragement to everyone in the dressing Room and I can only wish him well and his new club,” he said.
“Jesse Were I can only wish you all the best of luck as a Brother,you will be missed dearly,” he added.
Meanwhile the second round of the league gets back to action this weekend and Ian Otieno has a message for the Zesco United fans.
“I can only urge the fans to be with us ,we know what’s at stake and we are doing everything we can to return this title.”
Were officially joined Kansanshi Dynamos from ZESCO United on 4th January and has since gotten down to work training with the Mabanga Boys.
The Zesco United legend joined former teammates Bruce Musakanya and Davy Daka in North Western Province after penning a two year deal.
Were could make his Kansanshi Dynamos debut tomorrow when the Mabanga Boys visit Lusaka to face the Bankers, Zanaco in a week 18 clash set for Sunset Stadium.
Kansanshi Dynamos are currently 13th on the log with 20 points.
