Footballers world over have always been inspired by those that came before them, in Uganda, very few have the rare opportunity Fred Okot finds himself in.
The 20-year-old is the younger brother of Uganda Cranes and TP Mazembe left back Joseph Ochaya, his brother’s success couldn’t have been at a better time for him to get inspired and perform better than him.
“Growing up as kids, my brother (Ochaya) used to say that he has to play football at the highest level with top teams outside Uganda to earn a decent living from his talent,” Okot told Football256 before adding.
“We are both fullbacks although he plays on the left while I play on the right our styles are quite similar, am hopeful I will also make it”.
Following in his brother Joseph Ochaya’s footsteps means Okot has to be ready to go professional and the former URA FC right back knows how best to achieve it.
Fred Okot’s elder brother Joseph Ochaya (2nd right) in action for TP Mazembe against Tanzania’s Simba SC || photo by Othman Michuzi
“All players who play in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League (UPL) love to play ‘professional football’ as we call it.”
“The big sums of money and growth of a player are some of the aspects that drive players to go away from home,” Okot asserted.
While Ochaya’s career has seen him play for sides like KCCA FC, Sài Gòn F.C, Asante Kotoko, Lusaka Dynamos and now with TP Mazembe in Congo, Okot’s career path so far has only seen him play for Lweza, URA FC and Vipers SC having started out at Kireka United in 2012.
Okot who is a free agent after his contract ran out with Vipers earlier this year has also played for Uganda at the U-20 category, he was part of the squad that played the COSAFA in 2017.
