How Harambee Stars left-back Erick Ouma turned an injury setback into advocacy
By Luke Oluoch, March 18, 2026Harambee Stars defender Erick Ouma Marcelo remains one of the few Kenyan players with an inspirational journey to the professional ranks.
Ouma, whose career started at the dusty Woodley grounds in Kibra before being honed at the famed Green Commandos of Kakamega High School and later Gor Mahia FC, is a motivational figure to many upcoming athletes.
Although not blessed with the lanky frame most modern athletes boast, the Rakow Czestochowa ace has broken odds thanks to a rare determination that has defined every aspect of his game, be it with the national team, Harambee Stars, or his exploits in Georgia, Sweden, where he remains a cult hero at AIK, and Poland.
Giving back to society
On giving back to society through the game that earned him several accolades and experiences, the Kenyan international has been exemplary, showcasing his strong belief in the importance of football academies.
“The foundation of Kenyan football should be built around the young kids for a better future in football,” one of his statements while visiting a local academy read.
Marcelo has been continuously engaged with his immediate community through his recovery process. Normally, spells on the injury table present a welcome break from the normal rigours of the game, but the defender opted for a whole different approach to his recovery phase.
Following his surgery for a hamstring problem in September 2025 in Finland, Marcelo returned to Kenya for his recovery.
The defender has been documenting his individual works and rehabilitation as he battles back to fitness.
Putting the time to good use, the defender has made rounds across football academies and teams, thanks to his Eric Marcelo Ouma Football (EMOF) initiative, which has been central to his inspirational journey and impact beyond the confines of the football fields.
Here, Ouma not only imparts advice and guidance to the next generation of football players and students in institutions of learning and academic centres but also sensitises the community to the dangers of societal vices and the importance of keeping true to one’s dreams and believing in them.
The FKF Premier League side, APS Bomet team, of which he is a club board member, ranks among the beneficiaries of his winsome words.
Educational institutions he has visited include Zetech College and his immediate community in Kibra, where he honed his skills with little structure.
His contribution to the footballing arena also saw him appointed among the board members of the newly promoted Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League side APS Bomet.