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Zanaco are believed to set a US$150,000 (K3.9 million) price tag on the Kenyan midfield powerhouse who is also attracting interest from South Africa.
Former Gor Mahia midfielder John “Champe” Ochieng is on the radar of Rwandan side APR after enjoying a stellar debut season for Zambian outfit Zanaco.
Ochieng, who moved to Zambia alongside Dennis Ng’ang’a, has featured at the heart of Zanaco’s midfield, with his tenacious displays in the engine room winning over many fan’s hearts.
Zanaco are believed to set a US$150,000 (K3.9 million) price tag on the Kenyan midfield powerhouse who is also attracting interest from South Africa.
According to Wami Katanga, APR officials have recently visited Zambia and have Ochieng a few other players on their target list.
Fresh from helping Gor Mahia win a record 20th FKFPL title, his first major trophy, Ochieng, who joined them back in 2020, decided to leave in pursuit of more gametime which head coach Johnathan McKinstry could not guarantee him at the time.
Under McKinstry, Ochieng was sparingly used - on many occasions, coming on as a substitute.
He faced competition for game time from the experienced Ernest Wendo who is among the longest-serving players at the club currently.
Since joining Zanaco, Ochieng has gone on to become a fans favorite, with his combative approach which makes him hard to beat is already earning comparisons with club legend Salulani Phiri.
“We need this player on the national team. Can we exchange with the Kenyan government we give them Mutale Mwanza we get this number six,” said a Zanaco FC fan on Facebook.
“Very tough box-to-box player, a direct replacement for Salulani Phiri and Kelvin Kapumbu. He is a two-in one meaning the two; Salulani Phiri and Kelvin Kapumbu, are all in John Ochieng,” replied another impressed supporter.
“This guy is something else, the guy is strong and good with the ball.”
Some fans, however, wish Ochieng would receive fewer bookings since physicality and hard tackling has seen him yellow-carded in nearly every game.
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“Very good player and tough in the defensive midfield position. He should just avoid getting yellow cards too much because he will one day make us play one man down,” responded another concerned supporter.
“Not a reliable midfielder, too much card attraction in the game. Anytime you can be less men,” expressed another fan.
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