• Benjamin Ochan has retired after a 20-year goalkeeping career.
  • He played for KCCA FC, URA FC, Mbarara City, and AFC Leopards.
  • He represented Uganda Cranes and plans to stay involved in football off the pitch.

Veteran Ugandan goalkeeper Benjamin Ochan has officially announced his retirement from professional football, drawing the curtain on a career that has spanned over 20 years between the posts.

Speaking during an appearance on Pitchside, the experienced shot-stopper said the decision had been on his mind for some time and was ultimately influenced by the expiry of his contract and personal reflection on his motivation to continue playing.

“I finally feel I should hang my boots. I’ve been around for 20 or so years in the sport and over the last one or two years I’ve been thinking about when I should do it,” Ochan said.

He added that passion for daily training and competition had begun to fade, making retirement the most honest decision for both himself and the sport.

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“That fire had run out and I felt I would cheat the sport when I come half-half on the field of play.”

Club career

Ochan’s club journey saw him feature for several top sides in Uganda and the region. He played for:

  • KCCA FC- on3 different stints with the third starting in 2021 till now.
  • Victoria University SC
  • SC Villa
  • AFC Leopards
  • Kabwe Warriors
  • Bloemfontein Celtics

Across these teams, he built a reputation for command in the box, leadership, and consistency, often serving as first-choice goalkeeper and dressing-room leader.

National team stint

On the international stage, Ochan represented the Uganda national football team (The Cranes), earning caps in regional and continental competitions having made his debut in 2013 in a friendly against Egypt. He was part of Uganda’s squad setups during major tournaments, contributing experience and depth to the goalkeeping department.

Despite stepping away from active play, Ochan made it clear football remains part of his future.

“Football is in the blood. You cannot go away from it completely. But as far as playing… I think I’ve had enough.”

He also spoke emotionally about starting his journey as a goalkeeper at just nine years old and playing competitively up to age 37, saying it was time to give younger players space to shine.