Ochieng to leave Leopards after rejecting new contract

Winger Hansel Ochieng is set to leave AFC Leopards after two years at the club after he opted against extending his contract which expired during the just concluded season.

Lack of play time, being fielded out of position and financial instability at Leopards are some of the reasons the former Nzoia Sugar player has elected to walk away.

The 24-year-old is now weighing up his options among four unnamed FKF Premier League clubs which have shown interest.

“I feel that without enough playtime I’m unable to achieve my expectations and so I have to move on. I have also been fielded as a right winger as opposed to what I prefer, which is to play as a striker,” Ochieng said.

Under head coach Patrick Aussems, Ochieng has mostly been used as a substitute player with his only goal at Leopards coming during a cameo against Nairobi City Stars at the Kasarani Annex in March,

Ochieng added he felt Leopards should have won at least one title last season but ‘bad luck’ stood in their way, adding he wished them well for the future.

“AFC (Leopards) is a big team but unfortunately we were not lucky to win any trophy last season despite reaching the FKF Cup finals and finishing fourth behind champions Tusker, KCB and Bandari in the league.

“Having said that, I must note that we really put in our all and even that position will confirm that because if we compared to those teams who finished above us with us, we were the team that had no financial stamina to motivate players,” Ochieng said.