Zesco Beat Zanaco To The Signature Of Red Arrows Goalkeeper

Zambia Super League champions Zesco United have dipped their toes into the January transfer window by winning the race to sign goalkeeper Ian Otieno.

The Kenyan goalkeeper found himself a man in demand and had been linked with a plethora of clubs with Zanaco, Ghanaian side Hearts of Oak and Cameroon giants UMS de Loum among his suitors.

Despite the interests from the clubs, Zanaco managed to see off the competition as the team’s coach George Lwandamina continues with his rebuilding plans.

Otieno will join Zesco on a three-year deal and will link up with the team in Ndola as they prepare for their Wednesday’s Zambia Super League match against Kabwe Warriors.

The 26-year-old looks to set to compete with veteran James Banda and Dieudonné Ntibahezwa, for the Zesco jersey.

“First of all, I respect Banda for he is a very successful goalie and a true professional, not forgetting the other goalkeepers. I think the competition will be very good because he’s got massive experience too,” said Otieno, as quoted by Daily Nation.

“My target is to help the team achieve its goals set out by the executive committee.”

Earlier on, Zanaco were reported to have snapped up the custodian subject to a medical, but the offer was rejected at eleventh hour.

Otieno kept 10 clean sheets to help Arrows finish second in the Stream A of Zambia Super League last season.

He was recalled back to Kenya national team, the Harambee Stars, by coach Francis Kimanzi and was instrumental in a 1-1 draw against Egypt and Togo in the ongoing 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.