How Harambee Stars forward sacrificed multimillion deal for CHAN duty
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Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 29.07.25. | 07:10
The inclusion of Oluoch thus offered a timely boost to the Stars’ attacking options ahead of the month-long championship.
Posta Rangers' prolific forward Felix Oluoch Mboya has revealed he made a bold decision to turn down a lucrative move to Zimbabwe in favour of answering a late call-up to the Harambee Stars ahead of the upcoming CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN).
The 25-year-old striker was named in head coach Benni McCarthy’s second wave of call-ups alongside Masud Juma and Kenya Police’s Marvin Nabwire, joining the final 25-man squad set to represent Kenya in the August tournament.
In an exclusive interview with Mozzart Sport, Oluoch disclosed that he was on the verge of boarding a flight to Zimbabwe to join his new club, Scottland FC, when he received the unexpected call to join the national team camp, his first ever senior national team summons.
"I received the Harambee Stars call-up when I was on my way to the airport for my scheduled flight to Zimbabwe. I was to link up with my new teammates, but immediately after the call, I cancelled the flight and reported to camp,” he explained.
Oluoch’s dramatic decision comes at a time when the national team is grappling with a shortage of strikers following the departure of Moses Shumah and Emmanuel Osoro to Zambian top-flight side Power Dynamos.
The inclusion of Oluoch thus offered a timely boost to the Stars’ attacking options ahead of the month-long championship.
The former Chemelil Sugar and Kariobangi Sharks forward stated he had mentally prepared for all possible outcomes after being left out of the initial provisional list.
"I was prepared for anything. I had already decided that if I didn’t get the call, I would pursue my move abroad. But I had also promised myself that if the opportunity came, I would grab it without hesitation,” he added.
Oluoch went on to justify coach McCarthy’s selection decisions, noting that his brief appearance in a friendly match against Kariobangi Sharks legends may have played a key role in his eventual call-up.
The striker featured for just 35 minutes, yet impressed enough to earn a place in McCarthy’s plans.
"I trained with the team for just an hour after that game, and the coach told me not to go home, that I was in his plans for the then anticipated trip to Tanzania. It shows that the coach knows exactly what he’s looking for,” he said.
Scottland were recently promoted to the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League and are currently home to Zimbabwean international and former Kaizer Chiefs, Ajax Cape Town, and Mamelodi Sundowns forward Khama Billiat.
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