Just a day after Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat revealed that Ovella Ochieng would not be checking in at the national team camp with the team preparing to do duty against Mali in a World Cup qualifier doubleheader, the pacy forward has come out to explain why his absence.Ovella set to miss Stars World Cup qualifier double against MaliOvella was recalled to the team after years in the cold when Firat named his provisional squad for the matches but the tactician, in an open media session, said that player was excused from joining the Stars camp to concentrate on club duties.South African club decline FKF’s call to release Ovella for national duty https://t.co/nGBZ28USbm— Mozzart Sport Kenya (@MozzartSportKe) October 1, 2021 The former Kariobangi Sharks player took to social media to explain the circumstances surrounding the whole issue, backing up Firat’s initial explanation but giving a more detailed account.Ovella said that though he was elated after being notified of the call up by his agent, he would not be able to join the team as he wants to spend all the time he can get settling down with his new club as well as sorting out some of the paperwork that has delayed his registration. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ovella ochieng (@ovellah) The 21-year old further revealed that he almost contemplated retiring from football thanks to a career-threatening injury and neglect from his club, Vasalund when he was injured.However, he was thankful to his family as well as Tusker FC’s team doctor Enos Karani for being around him when no one else was.The Kenyan international was been handed a new lease of life after sealing a move to South African Premier Soccer League outfit Marumo Gallants where he reunited with former Harambee Stars coach Sebastien Migne on a season-long deal, joining the club on the Bosman rule after running down his contract at Swedish side Vasalunds IF back in June.US-based @philipmayaka gets his maiden Harambee Stars call-up. Ovella Ochieng, Sidney Lokale and Farouk Shikalo are also back in the fray pic.twitter.com/BeGHM6n33G— Jeff Kinyanjui (@Nyash88) September 29, 2021 He made his debut in 2016 from the bench against Guinea-Bissau in the Africa Cup of Nations Group E qualifying match and has fone on to make 10 more appearances for the national team, scoring once against New Zealand in the AIFF Intercontinental Cup in 2018.
