Henry Ochieng has singled out Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama as the most underrated player in the English Premier League, saying the Kenyan midfielder does a great deal of work that goes unnoticed.
In an interview published by Nairobi News on 2018-11-20, the West Ham Academy graduate also said Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante is the player who inspires him most. Ochieng was speaking in Nairobi while training at Clarence Hotel with fitness trainer Kevin Okwachi and life coach John Wainaina.
Kenyan debut and U-23 impact ¶
Ochieng, who plays for National League side Braintree Town in England, said he had not yet met Wanyama despite both living in London. He added that he has followed the former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder closely and believes his contribution is often overlooked.
The 20-year-old made his Kenya debut in the national U-23 side’s 5-0 win over Mauritius in an Africa Cup of Nations qualification match in Nairobi last Wednesday. Kenya then won the return leg 3-1 away from home last weekend to complete an 8-1 aggregate victory.
In the first leg, the central midfielder stood out for his tackling, positioning, awareness and passing. The result kept Kenya on track for a first-ever place at the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt next year, a tournament that will decide Africa’s three representatives at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
From Harambee Stars call-up to U-23 duty ¶
Ochieng had initially been named in Sebastian Migne’s Harambee Stars squad ahead of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Sierra Leone. That fixture was later called off by the Confederation of African Football (Caf), which led to his inclusion in Francis Kimanzi’s U-23 team.
He described the experience of training and playing with the national side as unusual but rewarding. The former Leyton Orient player said he was impressed by the talent and energy in the squad.
“It was a unique but interesting experience alongside the national team lads who are so talented and full of life that I was amazed,” Ochieng said.
He also said the tactical rhythm in Kenya differs from England, where passing is often quicker and more continuous. “The style of football is different. Here, I noticed you are allowed to find one long pass to the other end of the pitch. In England it is pass-pass-pass. I know we will face stronger teams but my belief is we can make it to the Olympics,” he added.
Roots in Homa Bay and a 2012 honour ¶
Ochieng’s parents come from Kendu Bay in Homa Bay County, though they moved to England before he was born. He said one of his proudest memories was being chosen as an Olympics torchbearer in 2012 after what he described as an exemplary performance.
