Harambee Stars have been dealt a major setback after key defender Erick ‘Marcelo’ Ouma was ruled out for several months following Achilles tendon surgery. The Kenyan international, who plies his trade with Polish top-flight side Raków Częstochowa, suffered the injury during a training session late in August and has since undergone a successful operation.
The full-back ruptured his tendon on August 26 while preparing for Raków’s UEFA Conference League qualifier against Bulgarian side Arda. Scans confirmed the severity of the damage, and surgery was immediately scheduled. His club has now confirmed that Ouma faces around seven months on the sidelines, ruling him out of both domestic and international duty for the remainder of the year.
Raków were quick to show solidarity, with teammates wearing shirts bearing the message “Erick, we are with you” during their subsequent league game. Despite this show of unity, the Polish outfit crashed out of Europe after Arda overturned their first-leg deficit.
For the Harambee Stars, Ouma’s absence could not have come at a worse time. The dynamic defender has been an integral part of Kenya’s setup, providing energy and stability on the left flank. His injury forced him to miss the crucial World Cup qualifier against The Gambia, a game in which Kenya suffered a disappointing 3-1 home defeat. He will also be unavailable for the upcoming clash against Seychelles.
Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga admitted that mistakes cost the team dearly against Gambia but expressed hope that the squad would bounce back. “We wanted to make our fans proud, but we were punished for errors. We now have to learn quickly and give everything in the Seychelles game,” he said.
Kenya had beaten Seychelles 5-0 in their last meeting in 2023, and while this fixture holds little weight in the broader qualification picture, the team will look to restore confidence and pride. For head coach Benni McCarthy, however, the long-term absence of Ouma complicates his rebuilding plans. The South African tactician had identified the defender as a key part of his strategy heading into the qualifiers.
With Ouma sidelined for most of the season, Harambee Stars will need others to step up in his place. The hope remains that the 28-year-old will return stronger in 2026, just in time to contribute to the next phase of Kenya’s football journey.
