Rakow Czestochowa defender Erick ‘Marcelo’ Ouma is out of the Four Nation Tournament set for next week in Lilongwe Malawi after picking up a hamstring injury in his side’s 2-0 win over Korona in Poland Ekstraklasa match played on Wednesday night. Ouma was part of the provisional squad that coach Engin Firat named on Wednesday ahead of the games that bring together four countries in Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe aimed at sharpening the teams ahead of the June World Cup qualifiers. ##NAJAVA_MECA_7950805##However, the well-traveled former Gor Mahia left-back participation in these matches is not assured after he was substituted in the 56th minute with an apparent injury that sources in Poland termed ‘not good’. Sources close to the player confide that, the former Vasalunds defender will be out for at least two weeks making him unavailable for the national team duties in Malawi. “He pulled his hamstring and could be out for at least two weeks. He’s getting an MRI test this morning to confirm the extent of the injury and the next steps. I don’t think he will make it for the upcoming National team assignments in Malawi but everything will be confirmed later today,” offered the source.Ouma joined the club in January from AIK in Sweden and has gone ahead to establish himself as a constant starter for Dawid Szwarga’s charges featuring in six out of a possible seven matches with the team chasing for a Polish Premier League medal this term. Before being stretched off, the defender had displayed unwavering resilience on the pitch leading his team to a comfortable first stanza win with a pre-assist in Rakow’s second goal. Rakow had opened the scoring in the 3rd minute through Ante Crnac and Vladyslav Kocherginn doubled their tally three minutes later. Erick ‘Marcelo’ Ouma has picked an injury tonight while on duty for his Polish side @Rakow1921 and it does not look good, according to @BrzozaLP .He is part of the Harambee Stars squad named by coach Engin Firat for the upcoming National Team task in Malawi.#FootballKe pic.twitter.com/DH847Ls5B8— Murimi Njiru (@muriminjirujnr) March 13, 2024 Ouma came close to adding a third in the 49th minute but he narrowly missed his attempt from the left side of the field before Jean Carlos took his place in the 56th minute. The win took Rakow to third on the log with 43 points two behind leaders Jagiellonia. Mathare’s Masongo picks positives after exiting U20 campMore information on the extent of the injury is expected on Thursday after scans at the club. Marcelo’s last appearance for the Harambee Stars came in the World Cup qualifiers against Seychelles, he missed the first match of the qualifiers against Gabon as he had to follow the action from the bench. Kenyan defender ruled out of four-nation tournamentOuma’s injury is a blow to the team with Stade Reims defender Joseph Okumu also sidelined with an injury.
