Opiyo Taiwo Leo Atieno Awounda known as Taiwo Leo Atieno (born 6 August 1985 in Brixton) is of English and Kenyan heritage and is a former professional international footballer, having represented Kenya in the qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2010 and the African cup of Nations. He previously played in the Football League for Walsall, Rochdale, Chester City, Darlington, Torquay United and Barnet and in the USL First Division for the Puerto Rico Islanders and Rochester Rhinos. He first appeared for the Kenya national team in June 2009. Club career England Born Opiyo Taiwo Leo Awounda, Atieno is the son of Moussa Awounda, a former Nation Newspapers correspondent, and Bridget Mary Glaisher,. As a teen he began his football career at the age of 15 with Walsall F.C. After graduating from the club's youth system Taiwo lost his mother to cancer, during which time he spent a month with Southern League Premier Division club Nuneaton Borough on work experience, Atieno signed professional contract forms in July 2004 under then manager Paul Merson. He had loan spells at Rochdale, Chester City with Ian Rush, Kidderminster Harriers, and Darlington. Atieno was released by the club at the end of the 2005–06 season following their relegation from League One. After leaving Walsall F.C. Atieno joined Conference National club Tamworth in August 2006. Atieno scored 12 league goals, though these were not enough to keep Tamworth from relegation to the Conference North in April 2007. United States Atieno left Tamworth after the 2006–07 season, moving to the United States to join USL First Division team Puerto Rico Islanders. Signing in July, Atieno started his spell well, scoring 7 goals in 12 games. The Islanders surpassed expectations reaching the semi finals of the USL playoffs. Atieno providing 2 goals against an experienced Montreal Impact side. In the 2008 campaign, Atieno scored a historic goal advancing Puerto Rico Islanders to CONCACAF Champions League group stages. Islanders overcame a 2–1 deficit to knock out the Primera División de Costa Rica L.D. Alajuelense. L.D. Alajuelense was the first Costa Rican team to win a CONCACAF Champions' Cup in 1986. In March 2009, Atieno joined Rochester Rhinos of the USL First Division; he had requested a trade due to losing his father to cancer and was traded to Charleston Battery during the off-season, but later choose to join Rochester Rhinos instead. Back to England He moved back to