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Shichenje, Ouma and Atola are all currently contracted to Swedish giants AIK
AIK’s Kenyan internationals Eric ‘Marcelo’ Ouma, and Henry Meja have revealed why the 2018 Swedish Allsvenskan League champions have helped them elevate their games to a different level.
The six-time Swedish league champions also have a third Kenyan on their ranks in former AFC Leopards defender Collins Shichenje.
He is currently on loan at Finnish side KUPS, where he has made 14 appearances. At AIK, he made 8 appearances after joining in 2022.
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07:00 - 25.07.2023
STARS ABROAD: Metrics show why Eric 'Marcelo' Ouma could follow Joseph Okumu to a top European league
Ouma has been linked with moves to several European clubs, including Atalanta, Wolfsburd, Crystal Palace and an unnamed club in France.
Ouma joined the club in 2020 from Vasserlunds, while Meja and Shichenje both joined directly from FKF Premier League sides AFC Leopards and Tusker in 2021 and 2022 respectively.
Ouma has gone on to cement his place as a key player for the side aged 26, while Meja and Shichenje have understandably been shipped out on loan to other clubs to aid their development.
However, all three players have put the Stockholm club in very high esteem in a revealing interview with the Vee Nyagah YouTube channel.
“I think the influence that they have on society is because AIK is a big team that is supported by many people,” Ouma said.
“The first time I came to Sweden, the first (Swedish top flight) match I went to see involved AIK Brommapojkarna. It was the first game I watched which made me fall in love with the club because they won that day.”
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15:31 - 22.04.2023
STARS ABROAD Fan buys Erick ‘Marcelo’ Ouma’s special jersey for Ksh31,000
The regular AIK jersey currently retails at Ksh16,000.
“I wanted to play for the team and I had to work hard for it. When I heard they wanted to sign me, I was so happy because it is very rare to have something like this happening, and when the opportunity comes, you just have to grab it.
“AIK gives you the avenue to showcase yourself. They give you a platform to grow so that you can move to the next level. You are like a material they use to prepare something better.”
Meja regularly made headlines in the 2020/2021 season for Tusker, scoring 12 goals and provided five assists in 22 matches that season, before he sealed a move to AIK on a five year contract.
After a challenging first season, he moved on loan to division one side Norby. He has scored five goals in 16 appearances so far. However, he insists he chose AIK because of their commitment to developing young players.
“AIK is a big team. I was actually informed by Eric about the club. When we met in Kenya, he would tell me about how the club is run, and how its management is good. It is also the best league in Stockholm. It is a good team that can also develop young talent.”
All three players will be hoping to take advantage of their opportunities at the club, which may give them a platform to move on to even better things down the line.
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11:14 - 01.08.2023
FOOTBALL Big spending FKF Premier League side offer to buy out Gad Mathews' Gor Mahia contract
Mathews kept 17 clean sheets last season emerging as the joint-best goalkeeper in the FKF Premier League.
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