After a blistering start to the 2021/22 Kenyan Premier League season, teenage sensation Timothy Noor Ouma aka Babu, an attacking midfielder, has been called up to the National Team for the last two 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Uganda and Rwanda.
Ouma, signed from Laiser Hill Academy mid last year, is one of 27 players called up to the Provisional squad named on Monday 1 November 21 by head coach Engin Firat.
Timothy ‘Babu’ Ouma gets his first call up to the provisional National Squad. What a great feat from the Attacking Midfielder. WELL IN! #OumaToTheWorld ??#???????ℕ?????? https://t.co/uyKf0b7VqE pic.twitter.com/5n3BwSEm3f
— Official Nairobi City Stars Fc (@NrbCityStars) November 1, 2021
The 2020 Rift Valley Chapa Dimba MVP has been in his finest element in the premier league where he has been directly involved in eight of the nine goals scored by City Stars in the first five games of the season.
Ouma scored once in each of the first three games against Sofapaka (maiden premier league goal), Kenya Police, and Wazito and went on to provide an assist for one of the two goals scored against Bidco United in game four.
Beyond, he has been behind four moves that contributed to four goals in the last four games after initiating the play that ended up with he assist providers.
Ouma was nominated for the player of the week after matchdays 3 and 4. He made the team of the week on both occasions.
Nicholas Kipkirui and Timothy Ouma representing ?⚪
2 in a row now for Babu ??#???????ℕ?????? https://t.co/tMX68TzGNb
— Official Nairobi City Stars Fc (@NrbCityStars) October 27, 2021
?| Team of the Week for Matchday 3#FKFPL pic.twitter.com/eQkGa6HDWA
— FKF Premier League (@Officialfkfpl) October 23, 2021
“I am overjoyed to have had a good five games into the season. I have to thank my teammates for pushing me to the special mentions that I have received so far,” said Babu
“That push has now led to the biggest call of all; to the National team. It’s exciting, and very confusing at the same time. I will go there and promise to give a good account of myself.” added Ouma
City Stars head coach Nicholas Muyoti – a former Kenya National team skipper – commented on Ouma’s call;
“He has great potential. We wish him all the best. This call will boost his confidence.”
Kenya starts residential training on Saturday 6 November ahead of the upcoming assignments against Uganda (away) on Thursday 11 November 2021, and against Rwanda at Nyayo Stadium four days after.
It is the second time that Ouma is being considered for National as the latest call follows up on his first mention to another setup; the Kenya U20 team in October 2020 – alongside City Stars keeper Elvis Ochoro – ahead of CECAFA U20 championship held later that year in Tanzania.
Full Squad
Goalkeepers: Ian Otieno (Zesco, Zambia), Brian Bwire (Tusker), James Saruni (Ulinzi Stars), Gad Mathews (Gor Mahia)
Defenders: Stanley Okumu (KAA Gent, Belgium), Abud Omar (AEL Larissa, Greece), Eric Ouma (AIK, Sweden), Bolton Omwenga (Kagera Sugar, Tanzania), Eugene Asike (Tusker), Johnstone Omurwa (Wazito), Philemon Otieno (Gor Mahia)
Midfielders: Amos Nondi (Dilagori, Georgia), Richard Odada (Redstar Belgrade, Serbia), Anthony Wambani (Vasalunds, Sweden), Kenneth Muguna (Azam, Tanzania), Alwyn Tera (FC Ararat, Armenia), Anthony Akumu (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa), Wilkins Ochieng (Club Brugge), Michael Mutinda (KCB), Duke Abuya (Kenya Police), Timothy Ouma (Nairobi City Stars), Eric Johanna Omondi (Jonkopings, Sweden), Boniface Muchiri (Tusker), Abdallah Hassan (Bandari)
Forwards: Michael Olunga (Al Duhail, Qatar), Masud Juma (Difaâ Hassani El Jadidi, Morocco), Ismael Dunga (Sagan Tosu, Japan)