AFC Leopards have signed Harambee Stars defender David ‘Cheche’ Ochieng to end the struggling season as they face Sofapaka at Bukhungu Stadium.
Leopards did not provide financial details of the deal, but sources within the club said the fee was in the region of Ksh1 million. The reports added that Ochieng will be at the club for a period of six months.
“AFC Leopards is delighted to announce the signing of Kenyan international David ‘Cheche’ Ochieng on a short term contract,” read a post from the club’s Twitter handle.
The 27-year old had interests from Libya, Egypt and Morocco, and his decision to return to the local league is to work on his fitness as he eyes a return to Harambee Stars coach Sebastien Migne’s plans for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nation (Afcon).
It has been a tough first leg for Leopards who at one point were rooted at the bottom of the log but two wins in a row have lifted them out of the relegation zone.
A win against Sofapaka will be another boost for Leopards and playing at Bukhungu gives them plenty of motivation.
The 27-year-old has formerly played for Nairobi Stima, Tusker and AFC Leopards before joining Saudi Arabian outfit Al Tawoon in 2014.
Leopards are set to beef up their defensive line to enhance their survival chances in the top flight having struggled to climb out of the relegation zone.
They sit 14th on the log with a paltry 16 points from 16 matches. The big cats have conceded 22 goals and managed to score just 13.