Ouma, who has been an ever-present fixture at the heart of Elfsborg’s midfield, was left out of the side as they beat Nice 1-0 amid heavy transfer interest from clubs in England, Sweden and Czech Republic.
Harambee Stars midfielder Timothy Noor Ouma was notably absent from IF Elfsborg’s matchday squad during their hard-fought 1-0 victory against French side OGC Nice in the UEFA Europa League group stage.
This omission has fueled speculation about Ouma’s imminent departure, with multiple reports linking the former Nairobi City Stars man to top European clubs.
Ouma has been heavily touted for a move to Czech giants Slavia Praha, although conflicting reports suggest the transfer might have hit a snag.
Kenyan midfielder is rumoured to be on the verge of a record-breaking move to a top European club in a multimillion deal.
According to Czech publication inFotbal.cz, Slavia Praha’s interest in the Kenyan midfielder has cooled, citing disagreements over Elfsborg’s asking price of approximately KSh 465 million.
Meanwhile, Ouma’s potential has not gone unnoticed across Europe. English Premier League outfit Brentford, ,Manchester United and Tottenham, as well as Championship side Luton Town FC and French club AS Saint-Étienne are all reportedly monitoring his situation.
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Should Ouma leave in January as anticipated, the move is expected to set a transfer record for IF Elfsborg.
Sources close to the Swedish club suggest that Ouma’s exclusion from the squad is directly tied to his likely January departure. His absence during the crucial clash with Nice signals Elfsborg’s preparation for life without the Kenyan playmaker.
The Europa League clash at Borås Arena was a battle of grit and resilience, with IF Elfsborg securing all three points courtesy of Gustav Henriksson’s decisive header in the 62nd minute.
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Both teams displayed attacking intent early, with opportunities arising on either end within the opening five minutes. Nice threatened centrally with an early shot over the bar, while Elfsborg’s chance came through a corner that narrowly missed its mark.
The tempo slowed midway through the first half as Nice dominated possession. Despite their control, Elfsborg’s defense, led by Isak Pettersson and Henriksson, remained resolute, neutralizing Nice’s advances. Arber Zeneli came closest to scoring for Elfsborg late in the half but saw his effort veer just wide.
In the second half, Elfsborg found their breakthrough. Besfort Zeneli delivered a precise corner that Henriksson expertly nodded into the far corner of the net, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
Nice responded with relentless pressure, creating multiple chances, including a near-miss that skimmed the crossbar and another effort cleared off the line by Henriksson.
Despite Nice’s dominance in possession, Elfsborg’s defense held firm in the dying minutes. Besfort Zeneli and Per Frick spearheaded counterattacks to relieve the pressure, allowing the Swedish side to close out the game and secure a famous victory.
While Elfsborg celebrates a historic Europa League triumph, the spotlight remains on Timothy Ouma’s future.
With interest from top clubs across Europe and his exclusion from the lineup, it appears increasingly likely that Ouma’s tenure in Sweden is nearing its end. January could mark the beginning of a new chapter for the young Kenyan star, one that may cement his status as a record-breaking transfer from Elfsborg.
