Ovella Ochieng: Why I Left AFC Leopards, Nairobi United Ambition, Harambee Stars Hopes and ‘Incredible’ Benni McCarthy

Ovella Ochieng is on course to make history with Nairobi United, a club that has been winning plaudits since the turn of the year as they continue defying all expectations with each passing day.

The former Kariobangi Sharks man scored the first of two goals as they stunned Alphonce Omija’s Tunisian outfit ES Sahel in the first leg of their second preliminary round CAF Confederation Cup tie at Ulinzi Sports Complex, giving them a massive advantage ahead of the second leg slated for next Sunday.

Should they manage to hold on to their 2-0 advantage away, United will become the first side since Gor Mahia in 2019 to reach the group stages of a continental club competition — and Ochieng is already key to that.

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Speaking to Pulse Sports in an exclusive interview, Ochieng, who made his debut for Harambee Stars in 2016 while still a 17-year-old youngster nine years ago, believes he joined the right project at this stage of his career as he approaches his prime.

“We are going in the right direction. It is a good result because it has been a while since a Kenyan team has gotten to this level. So it would mean a lot," Ochieng said.

Ochieng is one of six signings Nairobi United made in the off season — a glowing list that also includes Harambee Stars utility man Manzur Okwaro — with the club hungry to continue their fairy-tale run from last season.

They won promotion to the Kenya Premier League while also reaching, and winning, the FKF Cup by downing top-flight clubs — including Gor Mahia — along the way.

Ochieng has just joined that journey rather than been part of the start, ever since their days in Division 1 as recently as 2022, but he has paid homage to the structures laid at the club to ensure their ambition does not grind to a halt.

However, joining the club was actually a last resort, as the winger was on the verge of seeking another opportunity abroad to an Egyptian club after his contract with AFC Leopards came to an end.

“Everything (at Nairobi United) is perfect. The coaches and management are good. I wanted to leave the country, but there were things behind the scenes at AFC Leopards that forced the transfer not to go through.”

Ochieng is one of many players over the last eight years who have joined Leopards in hopes of helping them end their trophy drought but left without achieving that. So when the opportunity to join a club that could offer him continental football in Kenya came up, he could not resist the urge.

“My dream was to play in the CAF competitions. We were not able to do that at AFC Leopards, but I am proud to be here because I get to play it this year. It was either that or another adventure abroad.”

Ochieng, 26, has amassed plenty of experience abroad with clubs in Sweden as well as South Africa, and now hopes he can pass that on to the youngsters as the team aims for the group stages.

“We have a good squad. As much as this stage needs experience, if you are good, you are good. Some of the young players are learning a lot from me and are asking me questions. So I believe we have what it takes.

“It is all about faith. It is not going to be easy. Some of the players are young and have no international experience, but with the coaches we have and the fans pushing us, I am sure we will hit our targets.”

Ochieng joined AFC Leopards in 2024 and spent a year with Ingwe before leaving. Although he enjoyed some good moments — including netting a famous freekick from near the halfway line against KCB in Murang’a before unleashing his trademark backflip celebration — he admits inconsistency was an issue, largely due to fitness woes.

“I struggled with injuries. But I made a mistake wanting to be back on the pitch as soon as possible last year, and that’s why I was inconsistent at AFC Leopards. Maybe I should have sat the year out, but all is well now.”

Ochieng’s main priority at United is to make sure he is back at his best physically.

“I do not want to talk about goals or assists. My aim this year is to stay fit, be injury-free, and perform well.”

Since bursting onto the scene, Ochieng has played 17 times for Kenya, scoring once. He was even part of the 2019 squad that represented the country at the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, although he never made an appearance.

His last call-up came in 2023, when Kenya played Russia in Turkey in a friendly that ended 2-2. Back then, Benni McCarthy was working as an assistant at Manchester United, having previously coached AmaZulu — a side Ochieng faced while still at Richards Bay.

Ochieng intends to one day win a place back in the national team and has showered McCarthy with praise.

“Benni is an incredible coach. He was no longer at AmaZulu when I was with Richards Bay in South Africa, but he did leave a solid team and I believe Harambee Stars are capable of becoming solid as well.”

Ochieng missed out on the chance to take part in the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) with Stars, who won several plaudits after reaching the quarterfinals, but he remains their number-one supporter as he hopes to get back into contention.

“The boys are doing well. I have to support them. These things — getting back into the setup — are all about God’s timing. I just have to do my best for Nairobi United, and I am sure I will get that international recognition again.”