Musa Otieno Stars in Cup win for Cleveland Stars

By Maik Kwambo

For the second time in the USL 2 playoff, former Kenyan skipper Musa Otieno put his 6'4" frame to excellent use, and this time it not only delivered a win but a Championship win. Otieno first scored during the first round of the USL 2 playoff when he rose well above the whole Western Mass Pioneers defense to score the third goal that gave Cleveland City stars the lead.

The City stars went on to win the game 4-2.
Otieno’s first came in the 15th minute when he rose high and above all to flick a Schulte throw in beating Charlotte eagles stand in keeper Kevin Trapp as the ball somehow tricked into the net.
Four minutes after his goal, Musa Otieno smothered Ugandan international Robert Ssejjemba on the right flank with a no nonsense tackle when he (Ssejjemba) made a run for goal. Otieno saved the day for Cleveland City but Charlotte Eagles lost Ssejjemba who had to be stretchered off injured.
In the 30th Otieno was denied a second after an offside call from the ref. Jason Hotchkin sent a low ball across the box. A skidding Godfrey Tenoff sent the ball on to Otieno’s path that he sent into the net.
Sierra Leonean Sallieu Bundu got the second, this time legit in the 39th minute.
Joe Kabwe got a consolation goal for Charlotte Eagles late in the 87th minute to save the blushes of a team that was seeded first and had won the regular USL 2 (Third level US league) season top for the second year running.
Otieno who is expected to head back to Santos in the South African Premier on a season long loan spell, delivered when it mattered most and Cleveland City Stars, in only their second year in existence now have a Championship trophy.