Ugandan international and left-back Joseph Benson Ochaya’s future has been cast into doubt, as his contract situation remains unresolved. Egyptian side El Mokawloon FC have yet to table a new offer, leaving him in limbo, Footy-Africa has exclusively learned.
The 31-year-old’s contract with El Mokawloon is set to expire on June 30 this year, after which he will become a free agent. While the player is open to remaining in the Egyptian second division, the club has made no effort to renew his deal.
A source at Agbeve KSports, who represent Ochaya, has exclusively revealed that the lack of communication from El Mokawloon has left the player frustrated. The camp is, however, actively working on securing his next move.
“His (Ochaya’s) future is far from settled at the moment, as there have been no efforts from the club to table a new deal. There were talks in January, but they didn’t pursue them further. He absolutely wants to keep playing there, but he can’t force a stay. There’s work being done in the background for a move elsewhere, but at the moment, there’s nothing tangible,” the source exclusively told Footy-Africa.
It should be noted that Ochaya has been at El Mokawloon since the 2021/22 campaign, making 97 appearances, scoring 17 goals, and providing seven assists. He joined the club from former CAF Champions League winners TP Mazembe, where he spent four seasons.
Ochaya, whose Transfermarkt valuation is estimated at €400,000, has previously played for Uganda Premier League side KCCA FC, Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko FC, and Zambia’s Lusaka Dynamos. He also had a short spell in Vietnam with Navibank Sai Gon in 2011.
At the international level, Ochaya made his debut for the Uganda senior national team, the Cranes, in 2012. Since then, he has earned 57 competitive caps, scoring three goals and providing eight assists.
