After making a move to Polish top-tier side Raków Częstochowa, Kenyan defender Eric ‘Marcelo’ Ouma says he dreams of helping the club play in the UEFA Champions League next season. The 28-year-old marauding fullback completed the switch to Poland after an illustrious spell in Sweden with top-tier side AIK.
While with AIK, Ouma played in the UEFA Conference League in the 2022-23 season, and it is that taste of glory that catalyzes him to seek an even higher table -- the Champions League. His new club, Raków, played in the Champions League last season and reached the fourth qualifying round before dropping to the second-tier Europa League. Ouma says he wants to play his part and help the side make the league phase of the competition in his debut season.
The 2022-23 Polish Premier League champions are currently placed third in the league standings with 27 points, four behind leaders Lech Poznań, with 16 rounds of matches left. Ouma has become an integral part of the squad and has quickly won himself a permanent starting role. Having started his professional football career back in Kenya with record league champions Gor Mahia, Ouma’s sojourn in Europe was one of patience and hard work.
He started off in Georgia with Kolkheti Poti in 2017 before moving to KS Kastrioti in 2018. After just one season, he made a big switch to Sweden, joining Vassalunds IF and helping them to the second tier in his second season. He then moved to AIK, where he became a mainstay, before making the jump to Poland. Ouma speaks exclusively to Telecomasia.net about his new move to Raków, life in Poland, and his ambitions with the new club.
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– How has the experience been so far for you since joining Raków?
– It has been a really different experience because there is a huge shift in culture between Sweden and Poland. Everything is different, but that is our lives as footballers. I am getting to learn everything day by day, and so far, so good. I have enrolled in Polish classes, and I am learning the language really well to help me communicate with my teammates as well as the community around me. As a foreign footballer, that is usually one of the biggest challenges, but I am really happy that my teammates and coaches are helping me settle in well.
– Have there been any challenges so far?
– Well, at the moment everything has been seamless. But I am waiting for the Polish winter because everyone is telling me it is not for the faint-hearted. However, I have a bit of experience with winter from Sweden, so hopefully, this won’t be too harsh on me!
– You have quickly become a mainstay in the team. How has your experience been playing in the Polish league, and what is the difference compared to Georgia and Sweden?
– Getting a chance to play is always about hard work and discipline. You also need to be very attentive to what the coach wants from you in his system and give your best. The Polish league is really competitive compared to Georgia and Sweden. The league is more physical, and you always have to be ready for tough matches. I also feel that all teams are very tough; there is no day you will go in expecting an easy fixture. Each game is really tough and competitive, and you have to put your best game forward.
– You came to Poland after a very successful stay in AIK, where you made more than 100 appearances. How was that experience for you?
– AIK was a really good time for me, and from day one, I always felt at home and appreciated. Playing 100 games at a foreign club outside your home, especially at a competitive team like AIK, is not easy given the kind of demands they have on their players. I think it is something to be proud of as a player. You always needed to be at your best and give a good account of yourself in every game.
– Your path in Europe started from Georgia. How was that experience for you, especially being fresh from school and being a young player with only a season of top-flight experience?
– Personally, I regard it as one of the best starts. Playing in Georgia was an eye-opener. It gave me an opportunity to learn about the European style of play and also adapt to everything about Europe, including the weather, the food, the people, and the culture. I will be very honest; it wasn’t easy at the start because I was a young boy, still learning the ropes of professional football, but I am glad everything worked out well.
– Now, with a new club and a new environment, what are your targets?
– My primary target was to come here and compete for a regular starting slot, and so far so good. I would also like to help the team win trophies, including the league this season, which will help us qualify to play in Europe. My dream is to play in the UEFA Champions League with Raków, and I believe it is achievable. This is a really good, competitive team, and we have started the season quite well. I believe if we continue this way and put in more effort, we will achieve our targets.
– It hasn’t been easy for you with a few injuries this season, but are you feeling stronger now?
– Yeah, I had a difficult spell just at the start of the season with injury, and it was really tough because it disrupted the rhythm I had picked up. But I am grateful because I have recovered fully, and I feel stronger and ready to continue with the strong performances. Hopefully, things will be better as the season progresses because I really have high targets for myself this season. I am working hard to ensure that I achieve whatever I have set out for myself personally and for the team as well.
