Pamba Jiji's new signing, Stephen Ochieng, who was last year's SportPesa League golden glove winner/ANGWENYI GICHANA
Tanzanian Premier League side Pamba Jiji will step up their preparations for the 2026/27 season with a series of high-profile pre-season friendlies against Kenyan clubs, head coach Francis Baraza has confirmed.
The Mwanza-based outfit is set to face FKF Premier League champions Kenya Police and newly promoted Nairobi United in Nairobi next week, with another fixture against Shabana also under consideration.
“We are travelling to Arusha for our pre-season, where we intend to play two games before leaving for Nairobi. We have lined up games against Kenya Police and Nairobi United. I have heard that Shabana also wants a friendly, but it’s not confirmed yet,” said Baraza.
The former Kenyan international believes the matches will provide the ideal test as Pamba Jiji fine-tune their squad ahead of the new campaign.
Baraza also expressed delight with the club’s latest acquisitions, including Shabana goalkeeper Stephen Ochieng and former Gor Mahia midfielder John “Champe” Ochieng.
The pair join fellow Kenyans Brian Eshihanda and Saphan Oyugi at the club, further strengthening the Kenyan presence in the squad. Another Kenyan, striker Mathew Tegisi, has left Pamba Jiji to join Singida Black Stars and is currently featuring at the CECAFA Kagame Cup in Rwanda. Baraza revealed that Ochieng had been on the club’s radar for some time.
“He is a player we have been following for a long time. He won the Golden Glove in the SportPesa Premier League and was impressive throughout the season, and I’m happy to have him,” he said.
“He has some weak areas, but those will be worked on by our goalkeeper trainer John Waw. He has the height, reflexes and is a sharp keeper.”
On midfielder Champe, Baraza believes his experience will strengthen the team. “I signed him for Chemelil when he was a young player.
He later played for Gor Mahia and Zanaco in Zambia. He is a combative player who will add value to the team,” he added.
Pamba Jiji finished seventh in last season’s NBC Premier League, but Baraza is optimistic the club can mount a stronger challenge this term after an extensive squad rebuild.
“We lost six key players and have brought in 10. We are currently working on their fitness and coordination. I’m looking forward to a better 2026/27 season,” he said.
