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On Tuesday, it was revealed that Timothy Ouma had been released by Elfsborg for international duty but failed to turn up, but now, the club have provided an update as to why he never reported.
Elfsborg head coach Stefan Andreasson has cleared the air over Timothy Ouma’s absence from the Kenya national football team Harambee Stars during their ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifiers.
On Monday, it was confirmed that Ouma went absent without leave despite being released by his club for international duty, and as a result, missed their opening clash against Zimbabwe which resulted in a draw, and is also expected to miss their second clash against Namibia on Tuesday.
“IF Elfsborg currently has three players who are away on national team assignments. Timothy Ouma (Kenya A national team), Eggert Gudmundsson & Andri Baldursson (Iceland U21),” the Swedish club posted on social media last week.
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19:40 - 09.09.2024
Shock as Harambee Stars midfielder goes AWOL ahead of crucial AFCON qualifier against Namibia
The whereabouts of the Sweden-based player is still not known hours to Kenya’s 2025 AFCON qualifier against Namibia in Johannesburg.
Now, Andreasson has revealed that Elfsborg released Ouma for personal reasons before the international break.
Speaking to Swedish football portal Fotbollskanalen, Andreasson stated, “We gave him time off from the Sunday before the national team meeting to go home and sort out some personal matters, and then come back to us after the national team break.”
Andreasson believes that Harambee Stars should be the ones accounting for his whereabouts considering the club had released him in good faith, contrasting Firat’s claims that there were “issues” regarding his release.
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20:31 - 30.08.2024
Harambee Stars midfielder set to face Tottenham, AS Roma & Galatasaray in Europa League
The Kenyan midfielder will take on some of Europe’s top teams such as Spurs, AS Roma and Galatasaray in the Europa League after his Swedish club landed a nightmare draw.
“What has happened in the discussions between Timothy and Kenya is not our issue… We have been in contact, and he is on his way back here fairly soon.”
Passion Sports reported that Ouma’s situation may be linked to recent transfer interest from top European clubs, which has reportedly unsettled the former Nairobi City Stars man.
The midfielder has attracted the interest of some European sides such as Ligue 1 side AS Saint-Étienne.
Sources close to the situation indicate that Ouma is eager to make a move to Europe, and the rejection of these offers may have contributed to his failure to report for national team duty after being frustrated by Elfsborg decision to block his departure.
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16:04 - 07.09.2024
Engin Firat sweating over fitness of two key Harambee Stars players ahead of Namibia clash
Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat is looking at the possibility of calling up more players ahead of Tuesday’s match against Namibia after injuries to two key defenders on Friday.
Ouma is set to play Europa league football for the club and will be playing against the likes of Roma, Tottenham and Galatasaray this season.
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