Harambee Stars midfielder Timothy Ouma will be watching from the sidelines as his parent club, Slavia Prague, prepares to host Premier League leaders Arsenal in a crucial Champions League match. However, this would have been a dream opportunity for Ouma had things gone differently for him.
Ouma joined Slavia Prague from Elfsborg in January, in a high-profile move worth around Ksh473 million. After shining for the Swedish side, including playing in the previous season’s Europa League, expectations were high for him to make an immediate impact at his new club. Yet, despite the considerable transfer fee, Ouma found himself sidelined for much of his first season, making only one senior appearance in the league, which came after the title race had already been decided.
Faced with limited opportunities at Slavia Prague, Ouma sought a move away on loan for the 2025/2026 season, joining Polish side Lech Poznan. The decision has proven to be a positive one, as Ouma has since become an integral part of Lech Poznan’s lineup, playing regularly in both league and European competitions.
However, his frustration remains, particularly as he watches his parent club prepare for a Champions League clash with Arsenal, a team he could have faced had he been given more trust and opportunities at Slavia Prague. The 23-year-old midfielder had hoped to break into the senior team at Slavia Prague and play in some of the biggest matches, including those in the Champions League, but the lack of faith from the club has left him with regret.
Ouma’s move to Lech Poznan has been a bright spot in his career, where he has now made 19 appearances, including 10 league matches and eight European games. His impressive performances in Poland have given him a platform to showcase his talent, and he will be hoping that this strong run of form will convince Slavia Prague to integrate him into the first team for future European competitions, including a potential Champions League campaign next season.
For now, Ouma will have to watch as Slavia Prague faces Arsenal without him, but he remains focused on continuing his development at Lech Poznan, with hopes of returning to his parent club as a more established and trusted player.
