Talented Menengai Oilers back Glacious Owino’s breakthrough season has gone from one milestone to another. The youngster has now turned his attention to the biggest stage after earning his first Kenya Sevens call-up.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsThe exciting player scored his way into the national team picture after an impressive National 7s Circuit campaign that culminated in Oilers lifting the Christie 7s title; their first circuit triumph since 2022.Owino’s season was defined by consistency, attacking intent and an ability to influence matches at both ends of the pitch.His numbers tell much of the story.##NAJAVA_MECA_9968594##According to his National 7s Circuit performance report, Owino featured in 34 matches, finishing with 258 points and 24 tries, while also registering five assists, 12 breaks and 21 defenders beaten. He completed 55 tackles, won two turnovers and made 32 carries.His attacking output was particularly striking. Owino posted an 8.0 attacking rating, scored 24 tries and successfully converted 27 kicks at a 59 per cent goal-kicking efficiency, while recording 97 per cent pass accuracy. His offensive impact was rated at 303.8.On average, he contributed 7.6 points and 0.7 tries per match, alongside 0.1 assists, while maintaining a 90.5 per cent ball-handling efficiency. His overall rating for the circuit was 6.8.Malkia Strikers' Omondi responds to allegations of sidelining senior playersThe season also showed how Owino grew into the campaign.The performance trend chart shows his overall rating rising from 6.3 at Prinsloo to 7.7 at Dala, before reaching 7.2 at Kabeberi. Although his rating dipped at Driftwood, he recovered at Embu and closed the circuit with a 7.0 rating at Christie. His attacking rating peaked at 9.5 at Dala, followed by 9.2 at Kabeberi and 8.5 at Christie.That attacking form was evident at the Kisumu leg, where Owino finished as both the top try scorer and overall leading points scorer, before producing another standout display at Kabeberi.He backed that up with a second consecutive double at Kabeberi, taking home the Top Points Scorer and Top Try Scorer awards.“I would rate this season a solid 9/10 because I have achieved things that were not even on my goal list. Hard work and believing in myself have really played a key role,” Owino told Mozzart Sport.The reward for that progress came with the Kenya Sevens call-up, an achievement he admits he once considered unlikely.##NAJAVA_MECA_9968505##“I was really excited when I got the national team call-up. In my mind, playing for the national team seemed far-fetched, but I have always wanted to play at the Safari 7s. With God, I know I will get the chance to play,” he said.His first reaction was to share the news with the people closest to him.“The first person I called was my sister, then my cousin. They are my top fans and supporters, so I wanted them to be the first to know,” he disclosed.His defensive contribution has also been key to his emergence. Across the circuit, he made 55 completed tackles with a 76 per cent tackle-success rate, missed 17 tackles and won two turnovers. His defensive rating was 5.7.Now, with the national team door open, Owino wants to bring his own identity to the side.“I hear nowadays people call it the ‘Gen Z game’. I hope that when we get to the national team, we will try to fit in, but also bring the ‘Gen Z game’ to lift and spice up the national team,” he said.Motsepe rules out Plan B as East Africa races to ready for AFCON 2027For Owino, though, sustaining his rise will require more than flair and attacking ability.He credits proper recovery and self-management for helping him navigate a demanding circuit where players face repeated matches and the risk of injury.“As a player, rest is very important. You have to learn how to manage yourself during the circuit because many players pick up injuries. For me, it is about getting enough rest, training well, and knowing when to do things. You have to manage yourself properly,” he concluded.The 2026 Safari 7s is slated for Friday, 9, to Sunday, 11 October at the Nyayo National Stadium.Mozzart Bet Cup hero Simiyu backs Tusker to overcome Singida and reach CAF group stage
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