Half-centurion Ochwo in final push
Legend. Ochwo (centre) has been an ever-present in the Rugby Cranes. PHOTO BY E. CHICCO
What you need to know:
Ochwo knows that he is left with little time on the pitch, he therefore wants to use it maximally.
KAMPALA. Rugby Cranes utility forward Mathias Ochwo has been there, seen and done it all. He made his national team debut in 2003 against Zambia in the CAR White Spoon Cup, went on to win the African crown in 2007, and is still pushing on.
He attributes his longevity to discipline, passion, hard work, feeding, keeping in shape and the willingness to keep to tabs with the evolution of the sport.
At 35, most Ugandan sportsmen are well past their best. Not Ochwo, whose hard work on the pitch is well documented.
“I am from the old breed of passionate, patient and hardworking players, those who would die to have a game under their belt. So it is not by mistake that we are here talking about my 50 games,” he opens up.
Come Saturday, he, however, doesn’t want his milestone to be the highlight of the day.
“I don’t want personal stuff to overshadow the team. At the moment what we need is a combined effort to achieve our objectives,” he added.
Against Kenya last year at the same venue, Michael Wokorach led the Cranes out of the dressing room. He had clocked 30 games.
Asked if he will follow suit, Ochwo was non-committal: “I reached the 50th cap two weeks ago against Senegal, in Dakar but I didn’t lead the team onto the pitch. It is not something that gives me a sleepless night but if it happens on Saturday, in front of our fans, then well and good.
“But like I told you, I want the nation to focus on the team, not on me,” he stresses.
He wants his milestone to inspire the young generation to work hard. “Uganda has very many talented players to take it to greater heights. But they must be patient, love the sport, and also hate settling for less.”
Ochwo knows that he is left with little time on the pitch, he therefore wants to use it maximally. “My current contract at Rhinos is my final. I think I have served. But it would be good to bow out with something huge, like qualification to the 2019 World Cup.”
He looks at me in the eyes and stresses, “It is not impossible.”
OCHWO AT A GLANCE
Nickname: Matayo
Age: 35
Weight: 102kg
Height: 6’4”
Position: Utility forward (Lock/Flank)
Profession: Economist. But doing property development.
League debut: 1998
Cranes debut: 2003 against Zambia
Club career: Ruga Ruga (defunct), Rhinos, Pirates, Gauteng Raiders (South Africa), Heathens, Rhinos
Toughest game: All games against Kenya
Toughest opponents: Robert Seguya, Lavin Asego, Rujumba (RIP)
Proudest moment: Winning the 2007 African crown
Lowest moment: (Thinks hard): Any loss to Kenya
