Former Kariobangi Sharks midfielder Ibrahim Ochieng will end his half-season stint on Friday with an afternoon Somali National League (SNL) fixture against Jazeera. The midfielder, who returned to action in March with Somali side Gaadidka after a half-season sabbatical, says he feels rejuvenated and ready to pick up from where he left off.##NAJAVA_MECA_8242059##“Part of the reason for crossing the border to Somalia was to regain my confidence, which had seemingly waned. I wanted playing time as well as a place where I could express myself just as I did earlier in my career,” he says.After losing 2-0 to Heegan in his debut appearance for the side barely a week after signing, Ochieng took the early setbacks in stride and helped Gaadidka bounce back in the fixtures that followed. They now sit fourth in the 12-team table standings. The championship spot may have eluded them, but he takes the small victories.“Overall, we have played well in the past few matches, securing important wins in big fixtures. Personally, my most challenging contests were against Horseeed and Mogadishu City FC. Both teams are not only tactically sound but also play good football,” continues Ochieng, whose last stint in the Kenyan top flight was with relegated Muhoroni Youth FC.Dekedaha remain at the top of the SNL and are close to securing the title, which would guarantee them CAF Champions League football. Although Ochieng is disappointed not to have won the league with Gaadidka, he appreciates that Somali clubs often strengthen their squads with top players from other clubs before their Champions League duties, which helps them perform well on the continental stage.“From what I’ve gathered, the league winners always recruit top players from other clubs just before their Champions League duties. I think this is beneficial because it opens up continental opportunities for other good players who may not have won the league but have performed well during the season,” he adds.John Kamau appointed Mathare United new head coachThe first MVP of the annual Chapa Dimba na Safaricom tournament hasn’t ruled out returning to the Kenyan top flight, a league that once held much promise for him. Having already featured for three different teams—Kariobangi Sharks, Western Stima, and Muhoroni Youth—the diminutive anchorman may yet make a return.“It’s possible that I might. I’ll meet my current employers after Friday’s game to discuss my contract. Depending on the outcome of that meeting, I’ll have a clear picture of what next season holds for me,” he concludes.Friday’s contest will be Ochieng’s tenth appearance for the side, along with two Cup appearances. The SNL has recently attracted seasoned Kenyan footballers who, perhaps frustrated in one way or another, head east. Badbaado FC is home to Erick Odhiambo and Patrick Ochieng, while Mogadishu City was Godfrey Okeya’s last station.Musa Mohammed praises police FC as best-managed team in FKF Premier League
