Poland-based Harambee Stars left-back Eric Ouma is closing in on a return to competitive football after spending more than eight months on the sidelines following an Achilles tendon injury sustained in August last year while playing for Raków Częstochowa.
The dependable defender has been undergoing rehabilitation since the injury, which ruled him out of both club and national team assignments.
The setback came at a time when he was enjoying consistent playing time in Poland and had cemented his place as one of Kenya’s most reliable defenders in Europe.
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Now, after months of recovery and careful medical supervision, Ouma is entering the final phase of his rehabilitation and is expected to undergo a return-to-play assessment soon.
Harambee Stars defender Eric Ouma nears return to action
Speaking about his recovery journey, the former Gor Mahia left-back revealed that he is approaching the final medical tests before he can rejoin team training.
“It is now seven months; I am going into my eighth month, and next week I am supposed to do a return-to-play test. After that, they will assess everything, and then I can start training with the team. I am looking forward to next season because there are about eight games left before the end of the season, and I have been out of action for around seven months. I cannot just come back and start playing immediately; there is a procedure that needs to be followed before returning to play, so I have to understand what my body needs. For me, the focus is on next season.”
His comments underline the cautious approach being taken in his recovery, with both the player and the medical team keen to avoid rushing him back too soon. With only a few matches remaining before the end of the season in Poland, Ouma appears focused on regaining full fitness and preparing properly for the upcoming campaign rather than forcing an early return.
During his time away from competitive football, Ouma has spent some time in Kenya, where he has remained active through community work under the Erick Marcelo Foundation.
The initiative has organized several grassroots tournaments aimed at supporting young players and giving them a platform to showcase their talent.
One of the recent tournaments brought together football teams from Nairobi-based universities, highlighting his commitment to giving back to society even while recovering from injury.
The Kakamega School alumnus also admitted that the injury period has helped him grow beyond football, allowing him to experience life from a different perspective and interact with people from various professional fields.
“I have learned a lot of lessons. I have learned that there is life outside football and that there is so much to learn from other people. There is also an opportunity to interact with people who do not play football but work in the corporate world.
I have mostly been playing football all my life, and with that, I had little time to move around or meet new people, but this time I have met many new people, and we have shared different ideas and moments. It has been a good experience to learn how life is in other fields.”
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As he nears full recovery, Ouma’s main focus remains on regaining match fitness and returning stronger for the new season. His patience approach to rehabilitation show a player determined to protect his career and come back at the right time.
If all goes according to plan, Harambee Stars supporters and Raków Częstochowa fans could soon see the energetic left-back back on the pitch, ready to resume his duties and continue building his career in European football.