Full Name: Michael Ovella Ochieng
Date of Birth: December 23, 1999 (age 26)
Height: 1.90 m (6’3″)
Nationality: Kenyan
Position: Left Winger / Striker
Foot: Right-footed
Current Club: Nairobi United FC
Michael Ovella Ochieng, popularly known as Ochieng, is a Kenyan football player who plays as a winger for Nairobi United FC.
Early Background, Age and How He Started Playing
Ovella Ochieng was born on December 23, 1999, and is now 26 years old, standing 1.90 meters (6’3 “) tall.
Ovella started playing football as a child in Nairobi.
When he was 17, he made headlines after a typographical error on his registration document showed his age incorrectly.
This led to viral social media posts claiming a 7-year-old was playing for Harambee Stars, the Kenyan national team, when, in reality, he was 17 at the time. Eventually, the error was officially corrected.
“We have noted the sensation that the typographical error has created on Social Media and Ovella is definitely not 7 years old. His date of birth is 23 December 1999. That makes him 17 years old,” a federation official said with an interview with Radio Jambo.
He made his international debut for Kenya (Harambee Stars) in 2016 at just 17 years old, playing against Guinea-Bissau in an AFCON 2017 qualifier.
Also Read: Joe Waithira’s Journey from Kiharu to Kenya Premier League Star
Ovella Ochieng’s Football Career
Ovella Ochieng has played in different leagues across Africa, in Kenya, Botswana, and South Africa.
Here’s Ochieng’s career journey through different clubs:
| Club | Country | Period | Details |
| Kariobangi Sharks | Kenya | 2016-2018 | He played for 2 years, and during that time, while with Kariobangi Sharks, he made his Harambee Stars debut in 2016 against Guinea-Bissau. |
| Vasalunds IF | Sweden | Jan 2019 – Jun 2021 | Moved abroad to play in Sweden and appeared in 23 matches. |
| Marumo Gallants | South Africa | Aug 2021 – Dec 2021 | Ocheng joined in August but wasn’t registered, which left him ineligible for competitive football and forced him to move out. |
| Township Rollers | Botswana | Jan 2022 – Dec 2022 | Joined the club from Marumo Gallants on a one-year contract. |
| Richards Bay | South Africa | 2023-2024 | Played in the South African Premier Soccer League |
| AFC Leopards | Kenya | Sep 2024 – Sep 2025 | Joined the Kenyan Premier League as a free agent from Richards Bay on the deadline of FKF KPL transfer window.
Here, he scored 20 goals and won the Goal of the Season award in the 2024/25 season. |
| Nairobi United | Kenya | Sep 2025 – Present | Signed on the deadline day, 30th September, 2025, and is currently with them.
Before getting injured, he scored 2 goals and provided 5 assists in the league |
Stats and Goals
Ochieng Ovella’s statistics are as follows:
| Category | Matches | Goals | Assists |
| Nairobi United (2025/26) | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Nairobi United (before injury) | 12+ | 2 | 5 |
| AFC Leopards | – | – | |
| Kenya National Team | 17 | 1 |
Ovella’s Playing Style
Ovella Ochieng plays as a left winger for Nairobi United, and he’s right-footed with a reputation for his powerful long-distance shots, with his free-kick technique known mostly
In 2025, Ochieng struck a stunning free-kick against KCB, winning the Goal of the Season award.
Also Read: How Shariff Musa Rose from Soy to Winning the League with Gor Mahia
Awards and Honors
- Gala Award Goal of the Season (2024/25)
- Ovella’s stunning long-distance free-kick against KCB while playing for AFC Leopards was voted Goal of the Season for the 2024/25 season at the Gala Awards.
- Goal of the Season Nominee (2025/26)
- His goal for Nairobi United against Étoile Sportive du Sahel (Tunisia) in the CAF Confederation Cup on October 18, 2025, where he scored a “stunning goal into the top-right corner” that gave Nairobi United the lead, was nominated for Goal of the Season
- Kenya National Team Recognition
- Called up to Harambee Stars at age 17 (2016).
- Scored in Kenya’s historic 2–1 win over New Zealand (2018)
- CAF Confederation Cup Achievement
- Helped Nairobi United reach the historic CAF Confederation Cup group stage, which is a major milestone for the club
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