The Kenyan midfielder has come an instant fan favourite following his impressive displays that have earned him comparisons with club legends
Former Gor Mahia midfielder John ‘Champe’ Ochieng continues to earn high praise in Zambia following a string of good performances for Zanaco FC.
Ochieng left Gor at the end of his contract for the Zambian Super League side where he signed for Zanaco, alongside former K'Ogalo team-mate Dennis Ng’ang’a, and of the two, the midfielder has become an instant fan favourite.
The defensive midfielder has featured in just 11 games for Zanaco but his combative approach which makes him hard to beat is already earning comparisons with club legend Salulani Phiri.
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The Kenyan defensive midfielder has been lauded for his impressive displays since signing for Zanaco FC from FKF Premier League champions Gor Mahia.
“We need this player on the national team. Can we exchange with the Kenyan government we give them Mutale Mwanza we get this number six,” said a Zanaco FC fan.
“Very tough box-to-box player, a direct replacement for Salulani Phiri and Kelvin Kapumbu. He is a two-in one meaning the two; Salulani Phiri and Kelvin Kapumbu, are all in John Ochieng,” replied another impressed supporter.
“This guy is something else, the guy is strong and good with the ball.”
Some fans, however, wish Ochieng would receive fewer bookings since physicality and hard tackling has seen him yellow-carded in nearly every game.
“Very good player and tough in the defensive midfield position. He should just avoid getting yellow cards too much because he will one day make us play one man down,” responded another concerned supporter.
“Not a reliable midfielder, too much card attraction in the game. Anytime you can be less men,” expressed another fan.
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“Very good player but too hard hence too much yellow cards in each game.”
A section of Zanaco supporters do not see anything wrong with his regular bookings though as they feel it comes with the territory given the position he plays.
“Good player and I don’t expect a defensive midfielder playing without getting a yellow card because its normal for a number six even in each game cos [because] he is defending our team by all means,” said another Zanaco fan.
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After starting on the bench in his first two games, Ochieng has become a mainstay in coach Wedson Nyirenda’s side, starting the last nine games in a row.
Zanaco are sixth on the 18-team Zambian Super League table with 22 points, six adrift of leaders Zesco United.
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