Five clean sheets in a row, nine for the season after 17 rounds of matches is quite a good return for a goalkeeper.
Signed in July 2019, Benjamin Ochan has been key to the revival of AFC Leopards and his performances have not only been eye-catching but impressive by all standards.
The Ugandan shot stopper was signed as a free agent from Zambia’s Kabwe Warriors and he has not disappointed ever since joining the Den.
In his first season at the Leopards, he kept 12 clean sheets (nine at home) and he is on course to doing that again this season.
Ochan,31, is known for his command and agility, sharp reflexes have made him one of the outstanding keepers in the 17-team league.
Another clean sheet against Mathare United took the Ugandan on level with Ulinzi Stars’ James Saruni and as it seems, this will go down to the wire.
“His character, his wanting to learn every day, discipline is top notch, and always committed to training,” Lawrence Webo, Ingwe’s keepers coach tells TeamKenya.
The physicality of the league and its unpredictable nature has even made Ochan stronger according to Webo, and the former Kenya international who is tasked with preparing the goalkeepers for selection feels that this has made him a better keeper.
“Yes...it's always tough (the FKF Premier League) because you expect the unexpected, so you have to prepare well because you don't know how your next opponent will be,” he says.
Before facing any opponent, the goalkeepers train vigorously and this has made the likes of Ochan even better keepers according to Webo,44.
“They (keepers) train like they are playing in a real march and play in a real match like they are training,at the end of it all,I want them to enjoy being in goal,” says Webo.
Ochan will be seeking for yet another clean sheet when they face host Bidco FC on May 30.