Sichenje in line for championship debut as Charlton Athletic face QPR in London derby
By Luke Oluoch, February 6, 2026Newly signed Charlton Athletic defender Collins Sichenje is gearing up for a potential competitive debut as the Addicks host Queens Park Rangers this Friday, February 6, 2026, in the English Championship league tie.
The 11:00 pm kick-off clash at the Valley has all the pointers of becoming the former Serbia-based defender’s professional debut in the English second tier, coming barely a week after he signed a three-year deal with the club.
Since his arrival, the Kenyan has taken part in first-team training under coach Neil Jones on three occasions, with the tactician confirming his availability for a possible bow.
Available for debut
Speaking to the club portal on Thursday, February 5, 2025, Jones revealed his surprise at how Sichenje typically exhibited the heritage associated with Kenyan athletes.
“He is up to speed: he had a preseason with his team. He is a super athlete, as you would expect from his Kenyan heritage,” he said in an interview about the player’s first few days at the club.
“He will take time to adapt to the English Championship and the football, but we are happy. He is aggressive and front-footed and technically very good. Which are very good attributes,” he added.
Busy February fixtures
If the Rangers’ time comes too soon for the former AFC Leopards man, the club’s newest no. 28 will still have the chance to feature in subsequent ties, with Rangers set to grapple with five other eventful ties in the month.
The QPR clash opens a trio of home fixtures, with Stoke City the next visitors to the Valley on Wednesday, February 11, before Portsmouth also visits to face Charlton a week later.
A trip to St. Mary’s Stadium on Saturday, February 21, 2026, will then kick off a couple of fixtures on the road for Sichenje and Charlton before the team also visits West Brom on February 24, 2026.
Charlton will conclude their month’s campaign with a home clash against Wrexham, in a tie that could pit the Kenyan against his fellow Harambee Stars ace Zak Vyner, who recently signed with the promotion-chasing outfit.