- Wilkins Ochieng’ eyes Harambee Stars return with AFCON 2027 on the horizon.
- Ochieng’ received a provisional nod for the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers but is yet to make his debut.
- The 22-year-old currently plays for Royal Antwerp B, the reserve side of Belgian top side Royal Antwerp.
Belgium-based winger Wilkins Ochieng’ is determined to earn his second call-up to the Kenya men’s football team, Harambee Stars, after battling back from nearly a year out of action.
The Nairobi-born attacker is steadily rediscovering his rhythm in Europe and believes his best days are still ahead of him.
Back in July 2025, the 22-year-old attacker joined Royal Antwerp B, the reserve side of Belgian top side side Royal Antwerp having featured for Belgian second-tier Royal Francs Borains in the previous season.
“Wilkins Ochieng joins the Young Reds,” read part of the club’s announcement.
“Wilkins is a 22-year-old Belgian born in Kenya who spent most of his youth development at Club Brugge. He stood out in the Youth League during that time. After a brief spell in Slovenia, he played for Francs Borains last season,” the statement added.
Antwerp Youth CEO Jean Kindermans expressed confidence in the winger’s qualities, highlighting his versatility and attacking instinct during his unveiling.
“As a left-footed winger, he can play on either side of the pitch and is expected to bring attacking creativity and provide assists for our Young Reds,” he said.
Now back to full fitness, Ochieng’ has begun repaying that faith. He has registered six assists and one goal for Royal Antwerp B this season, performances that have earned him several training sessions with the senior team.
For a player who endured months on the sidelines, the progress feels particularly satisfying.
Speaking exclusively to SportPesa Blog, Ochieng’ opened up about his resurgence and international ambitions.
“I am currently in good shape after some time off, and I am enjoying football again. I love it at Antwerp, I love my current progress and I am working hard to break into the senior team,” he said.
Wilkins Ochieng’ eyes Harambee Stars return
Born in Kenya before relocating to Belgium at a young age, Ochieng’ has represented Belgium at youth level, earning four caps and scoring once for the U16 side in 2018.
He previously featured in the youth ranks of Mouscron before moving to Club Brugge KV in 2017, where he later signed his first professional contract in January 2020.
He made his debut for Club NXT in the Belgian First Division B in August 2020.
Despite his ties to Belgium, Ochieng’ has always maintained a strong connection to Kenya. He has received call-ups to the Kenya U23 side and the senior Harambee Stars squad, including a provisional nod for the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, but is yet to make his debut.
“I am really yearning for that Harambee Stars call-up. I watch most of the matches when we play. I followed the CHAN tournament, which was a good account for us as a country.
The fanbase was fantastic, and the players did well. I was disappointed that we did not make it to the final because, with that support at home, we could have won it. But all in all, it was a great tournament,” he said.
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His motivation runs deeper than football alone.
“I have a strong connection with my roots back home. I am always home during the off-season, so I visit my grandmother back in Dala(home).
She is very close to me, so I always make time to see her. She is also waiting to watch me play for the national team, so it would make me very happy to make her proud,” he said.
Ochieng’ also keeps close ties with several Harambee Stars players including captain Michael Olunga and midfielder Richard Odada. He shares a particularly strong bond with Collins Sichenje who recently joined Charlton Athletic F.C.
“I speak to the captain Olunga, Odada, and my close friend Collins Sichenje. We spend most of our off-season together when I am back in Kenya. He is a good friend to me, and we share many football conversations,” he revealed.
Looking ahead to Kenya’s co-hosting of the 2027 AFCON, Ochieng’ remains grounded. His immediate focus is simple: earn a call-up in the upcoming friendly matches and prove his worth step by step.
“For me, it would be a dream come true to represent the country at such a big stage. But right now, I am focused on getting that call-up in the upcoming friendlies and showing the coaches what I can do.
I believe in going step by step and not rushing things, because that gives you time to grow and adapt,” he noted.
For Ochieng’, the journey back is well underway and the Harambee Stars dream burns brighter than ever.