Ouma: Why I chose Albania over Iran

Harambee Stars left back Eric Ouma during a training session on August 17, 2016 at Ruaraka grounds. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |

What you need to know:

  • Both Tirana and Kastrioti are in the race for promotion to the Albanian Superleague.
  • They top Groups A and B with 35 and 37 points respectively after 14 rounds.

Kenyan international left back Erick ‘Marcelo’ Ouma has disclosed that he was close to moving to Iran before he chose to join Albania's KF Tirana in the just concluded January transfer window.

Ouma, who was attached to Georgian side Kolkheti Poti, had been a target of Iran Pro League side Pars Jam Bushehr but turned down a lucrative deal for Albanian side KF Tirana.

SOUGHT ADVISE

The former Gor Mahia prodigy told Nation Sport some senior players in the national team talked him out of the move to Pars Jam Bushehr and opted to stay in Europe.

“The Iranian club offered good money in salary and bonuses. It was tempting for me but I had to seek advice from my teammates who preferred a stay in Europe at my age,” disclosed Ouma.

“I was in Iran already and at the time trained with the club who were willing to include me in their roster for the second half of the season but I gave it a second thought and turned down the offer,” added the 21-year-old, who has now been reunited with his former coach at Gor Mahia Jose Marcelo Ferreira ‘Ze Maria.’

“Coach Ze Maria believed in me on my first year in the top flight and confidently gave me a chance at Gor Mahia. I believe he is a coach who can help me develop further.”

With the Albanian foreign quota rule limiting to four players on the pitch, Ouma and Nigerian midfielder Samson Liasu have been sent on loan to another second tier side KS Kastrioti until June.

Tirana has in their ranks six foreign players among them Kenyan duo Musa Mohammed and Kenneth Muguna, Ugandans Tony Mawejje and Yunus Sentamu, Englishman Michael Ngoo and Congolese midfielder Hardy Binguila.

Both Tirana and Kastrioti are in the race for promotion to the Albanian Superleague. They top Groups A and B with 35 and 37 points respectively after 14 rounds.