Demotion shocks Lech Poznań camp
Harambee Stars midfielder Timothy Ouma finds himself at a crossroads after Polish giants Lech Poznań dropped the 21-year-old from the first team on Saturday, January 11, and reassigned him to train with the reserves. The club said Ouma “acted in a way that violated team rules,” a breach that also cost him a place on the squad’s training camp to Abu Dhabi and has cast doubt over his short‑term future at the Ekstraklasa side.
Missing in action on day one
Details remain murky, but the trouble appears to have begun when Ouma failed to join teammates for the first day of training on Tuesday, January 6. While the squad assembled for an introductory meeting and routine medical checks, Ouma — along with Luis Palma and Taofeek Ismaheel — only arrived the following day. The club accepted a weather-related flight delay as Ouma’s explanation, yet the absence seems to have been the final straw.
Club draws a line in the sand
Lech’s statement was blunt: Ouma will remain in the country and prepare for the spring season with the reserves, and any return to the first team “depends solely on his performance.” The decision also means he will miss three Abu Dhabi friendlies designed to sharpen the squad ahead of a demanding spring campaign in the league and domestic cup.
Not the first clash with club protocol
This episode is part of a pattern. In November, Ouma failed to return to Poznań promptly after an international break, saying he needed to attend to “business” in Kenya — even after being called up by Benni McCarthy for Harambee Stars fixtures. Earlier, in March, he overstayed in Kenya for more than three weeks following World Cup qualifiers, citing visa issues. Each absence has tested patience at club level and raised questions about his professionalism.
Off the pitch: a different story
Away from the headlines, Ouma has shown a generous side. In December he organized a community give-back in Kawangware, donating food, sports gear and sharing a meal with hundreds of residents — a reminder of the midfielder’s strong ties to home even as his club career faces turbulence.
What’s next?
For Ouma, the path forward is clear but steep: regain fitness and form with the reserves, demonstrate discipline, and convince Lech Poznań that he belongs in the first-team picture. For the club, the move signals a zero-tolerance stance on rule breaches. The coming months will determine whether this is a temporary stumble or a turning point in the young midfielder’s European journey.
