Teenager Timothy Ouma Noor aka Babu has received a heavy pat on the back from Nairobi City Stars coach Sanjin Alagic.
The youngster, current reigning Chapa Dimba Rift Valley MVP, is an offseason acquisition from Laiser Hill Academy who plays as creative or attacking midfielder.
Into the current season, the Kenya U20 callup who ended up missing CECAFA U20 last year due to lack of a passport, has featured in all but one of the 15 games played in the Premier League.
“Babu has made amazing progress, day to day he looks better and gaining more experience in professional football. He’s only a teenager, so I’m very careful with minutes and playing time he gets,” said Sanjin
“But I believe he’s huge potential and that’s reason he has played almost every match this Season. I worked for many years in youth football so I’m the coach who likes to give opportunity for young talent and I believe that sometimes in your life you just need to get opportunity in right moment to achieve your dreams. I’ll try to help this boy to achieve his dreams.” added Sanjin
Speaking to our news desk, Babu talked up his steady progression in the top flight league.
“I have really grown in those games. Initially I wasn’t getting enough minutes but thereafter the playtime graduated which has really helped in the growth,” he said
He marked his Premier league debut in the season opener against Nzoia Sugar in Narok in late November 2020 after coming on for Oliver Maloba in the 83rd minute.
In the 15 games played so far, Ouma has earned starts in games against Bidco United, Vihiga United and Sofapaka and is looking forward to a full game. Just once against Posta Rangers did he miss on playtime as he did not come off the bench.
As he looks forward to a big game against Tusker on 20th March, Babu revisits the last game against AFC Leopards which he reckons was one of the toughest he’s played in the league.
“I came on when the tempo and the pressure was really high. I would have been elated had we won it, but . . ” said the lad who replaced Sven Yidah in the 79th minute in that game.
In scaling up from high school to City Stars, Babu joined his elder sibling Elvis Noor Ojiambo at Simba wa Nairobi. They both contest for minutes in the mid of the park.
City Stars forward Timothy Ouma up against Bandari left back Siraj Mohammed during a 3rd round FKF PL match at Kasarani on Fri 11 Dec 2020. City Stars won 2-0
Timothy Ouma in a game against Mt. Kenya United on Sat 14 Nov 2020 during a preseason friendly. It ended 0-0
City Stars midfielder Timothy Ouma aka Babu faces off with KCB’s Rama Walumbe during a friendly on Wed 11 Nov 2020. KCB won 1-0
Timothy Ouma aka Babu on the ball against Bidoc United at Kasarani in a fourth round Premiership tie at Utalii grounds in Dec 2020. It ended 0-0