Kenyan centre-back pairing of Patrick Ochieng and Erick Odhiambo arrived at a struggling Badbaado FC in the Somali Premier League at the beginning of 2024 and right then knew they had one job to do; seal the back.There was way too much leakage in Badbaado’s defence that the mid-season break had them clamouring for a way out of the relegation zone.Former Gor Mahia forward Benson Omala axed from Al Safa squadEnding their debut season placed a respectable eighth, and seventh the following season, Ochieng has opted not to renew his contract at the club. He wants back and is ready for the upcoming FKF Premier League transfer window.”The Kenyan Premier League has changed tremendously. I have been home for half a season and from the look of things, there is no more small team anymore. ##NAJAVA_MECA_8657333##A little slip and a team at the top can find itself way beyond the mid-table, likewise, a team at the bottom-with a series of good performances, can find itself challenging for the title,” says an astounded Ochieng.He says he is ready for this as his two-year stay in Somalia was not futile. Even though not rated highly in the CECAFA region, the Somali Premier League Ochieng says has a few elements that may well be lacking in other leagues and that is why he insists he is a changed calibre of a defender.Tomas Trucha still receiving salaries two months after AFC Leopards ‘sacking'”Two years is a long time playing in a foreign league and I come back improved. I left while relatively young and playing all those matches brings with it maturity and experience. Overall, it was an eye-opening period in my career,” continues Ochieng who played his youth football through the ranks of Manyatta Youth Resource Centre.##NAJAVA_MECA_8657313##His partner, Erick Odhiambo too, had opted not to return to Somalia and quickly settled at his former club Fortune Sacco FC in the second tier. Ochieng on the other hand sees the top flight- despite its flurry of spontaneity, as his perfect landing place.”It’s always good to stay hopeful and that’s why I want to hunt for an opening in the top flight first before considering other options. It’s very exciting,” adds the former Kisumu All Stars man whose former side still languishes in the second tier since his departure.Gor Mahia identify 5 positions that need strengthening in mid-season transfer windowHis return (and to a large extent Odhiambo’s), is indicative of a dwindling in the financial might of some of Somalia’s recently moneyed clubs. Ochieng admits their second season was marred by player exodus due to delayed payment of dues.A look across some of the clubs and the script reads like a duplicate. Players like Godfrey Okeya ( formerly with Mogadishu City FC) and Ibrahim Ochieng have also since returned home from the East.##NAJAVA_MECA_8657327##”At first things looked good and there was little to complain about but this changed and the second season became even tougher. As professional footballers, we play and expect our contractual agreements to be met,” he concludes.As Ochieng looks to settle back home, and praying for the ease through it, he comes back not the lean 22-year-old that helped All Stars earn its return back to the top flight but as a moderately travelled centre-half whose grit will only be tested (hopefully) by the rough and tough of the FKF Premier League.
