Firat reveals why Harambee Stars defender Omija will be a hit after joining Gor Mahia

Kenya’s head coach Engin Firat has come out to explain why Harambee Stars defender Alphonse Omija made the right move to re-sign for Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League champions Gor Mahia.

In a surprise turn of events, Omija’s sojourn with Oman club Dhofar ended after only one season, forcing the exciting youngster to return home and sign for the record Kenyan champions.

“Alphonce Omija re-joins us from Oman side Dhofar Club. Omija came through the ranks from our Youth Team, welcome home Jatugo,” Gor Mahia announced this July.

Omija signed for Dhofar on February 7, 2023, after leaving Kariobangi Sharks where he had managed 20 appearances in one season. Before playing for Sharks, Omija had featured for Gor Mahia in the 2019/20 season making only one appearance.

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His decision to return to K’Ogalo and not seek a move abroad after Dhofar turned against renewing his contract, elicited mixed reactions amongst a section of football fans in the country.

Most fans felt it was a big downgrade for the enterprising youngster, who had been promoted from the U20 national team to the senior team Harambee Stars.

“Omija’s sky was high up and now it has come down,” Jeff Aroto Jeff told SportsBoom in reaction to Omija’s move to K’Ogalo.

While Wilfred Osamo said: “He should have worked on a move to another club abroad, returning to Gor Mahia is a downgrade for a player, who had started to play for Harambee Stars.”

Omija Transfer to Gor Mahia a Right Call

According to Firat, Omija made the right call to return to Gor Mahia because he will benefit from playing CAF Champions League football and show himself to the world stage.

“It is a good move from the player, a positive one because he will have the opportunity to play in the Champions League, a good stage to show himself to the world,” Firat explained.

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Gor Mahia will return to the Champions League scene following their success to lift a record 21st Kenyan title at the end of last season. K’Ogalo achieved the fete with three matches to spare to as they lifted a second successive title under Johnathan McKinstry.

They have been drawn to face El Merriekh Bentiu of South Sudan in the first preliminary round with an away match on August 16th before the return leg slated for Nairobi on August 23rd.

Should Gor Mahia eliminate El Merriekh Bentiu, they will come up against record African champions and Egyptian giants Al Ahly in the second round.

“It will be a good stage for the young player,” added Firat. “Champions League football brings the best out of such talent and I know Omija will grab the chance with both hands.

Gor Mahia is one of the best teams in Africa and I don’t think it was a downgrade like many people are trying to put it.”

The 54-year-old Turkish tactician further argued that at 21 years old, Omija was still young enough to return to Europe.

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“Returning to Gor Mahia does not close the door for him to play abroad; he is still young enough to go again and play abroad, he has enough years ahead of him and will return abroad.”

“Omija is an exciting youngster, he has proved on many occasions what he can do when handed the opportunity to play and it is the reason I am confident he will still play in Europe, he is European material and it will happen, not sure when but it will happen in the future.”

Omija earned his first call for Kenya’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Burundi and Ivory Coast played in Lilongwe, Malawi on June 7th and 11th respectively.

Though he was an unused sub against the Swallows in a 1-1 draw, Omija finally got his chance to debut for the East African nation against the African champions in a game Kenya secured a 0-0 draw at the Bingu National Stadium.

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In another interview, Firat explained why he was not surprised with Omija's rise and qualities.

“Everyone from outside is maybe surprised but I am not surprised because when I saw Alphonce for the first time, I was sure about him. He waited for his chance and he took it against the African champions Ivory Coast and he did his job well.”

“You should also remember that Alphonce (Omija) was in the Kenyan league, and nobody gave him a real chance, nobody, so therefore, when I invited him (for the first time to join Harambee Stars camp) even nobody knew where he was, even most of the people didn’t know who he is.”

Omija is A Good Catch and Will Shine at Gor Mahia

According to former Gor Mahia Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Omondi Aduda, the signing of Omija was a huge boost to Gor Mahia in their quest to leave a good mark in the continental scene.

“He is a very good addition to the squad, he has all the ingredients to come in and help Gor Mahia perform at the highest level, and now that they are participating in the Champions League, I must say he is the right catch,” Aduda said.

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“He has shown his qualities when playing for Harambee Stars, remember Omija was our youth player before he got promoted to the senior team and then left for Sharks. I had spotted that he would be a good player, he has the discipline and with him our defensive line will be strong enough.”

Omija did not feature for Gor Mahia as they posted a disastrous outing in the just-concluded 2024 edition of the CECAFA Kagame Cup in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Gor Mahia, who were seeking a fourth title, finished the regional tournament without winning a game, losing their opener 1-0 against the guest team and eventual winners Red Arrows of Zambia, drew 1-1 against ASAS Djibouti Telecom, and lost 2-0 against Al Hilal of Sudan.

However, Omija will have the opportunity to play his first match when Gor Mahia travel to Nigeria for the inaugural Coal City International Cup where a total of eight teams will take part with Brazilian giants Esporte Clube Vitoria among those invited.

Other teams include Sierra Leone’s FC Kallon and Cotton FC from the Republic of Benin while Nigeria, the host of the event, will be represented by the quartet of Enugu Rangers, Aba Elephants’ Enyimba, Kano Pillars, and Ogun State-based Remo Stars.

K’Ogalo will kick off their campaign against the Brazilian heavyweights on August 2 in Enugu and face Remo Stars of Ogun State on August 4 before winding up their preliminary group fixtures with a clash against Kano Pillars on August 6.

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