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Gor Mahia striker Benson Omala has broken his silence following his omission from the Harambee Stars squad despite being the FKF Premier League’s leading scorer
Gor Mahia striker Benson Omala is not bothered by his exclusion from the Harambee Stars squad set to take on Russia in a friendly match on Monday.
Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat named a 23-man squad composed of local and foreign-based players for the contest set to take place in Turkey but there was no place for Omala, who is the leading scorer in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League.
Omala has scored six goals from as many games for Gor Mahia, including a brace last Saturday’s 2-0 Mashemeji derby win over AFC Leopards, but will not be among the forwards lining up in Turkey with Masoud Juma, Alfred Scriven, Cliffton Miheso, Moses Shummah and captain Michael Olunga preferred by Firat.
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16:02 - 08.10.2023
FOOTBALL ‘Where is Omala?’ - Fans question exclusion of Gor Mahia striker from Harambee Stars squad
A section of Harambee Stars fans have expressed their displeasure at the exclusion of Gor Mahia striker Benson Omala from the team set to face Russia in a friendly match
That led to a section of fans questioning Firat’s selection but the striker is unfazed by his non-inclusion, saying he will continue doing his talking on the pitch as he waits for his chance.
“My job is to score goals, that is what I want to do,” Omala told Sports Eye. “It is hard but as a player, you have to cope with everything.
“When you are doing good, people will talk, when you are bad people will talk, so it is just you and the mental toughness you have that will keep you going,” he added.
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15:30 - 11.10.2023
FOOTBALL Firat claps back at critics over Harambee Stars selection for Russia friendly
Coach Engin Firat staunchly defends Harambee Stars' selection for Russia friendly amidst criticism, emphasizing players’ potential and urging fan support.
While defending his selection, Firat said he assembled a squad that he feels will get the desired result against the European nation while leaving the door open for Omala and any other players in future.
“Everyone has their expectations regarding our squad selection. My primary responsibility is to assemble a team that’s up to the challenge for the upcoming assignments. The door is always open for players to come in or out, and I am confident that the current squad is fully capable of handling the tasks ahead,” said Firat.
Omala has been overlooked by Firat for most of this year despite his hot form for Gor Mahia, including last season when he scored a record-equaling 26 league goals.
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11:43 - 12.10.2023
FKFPL Benson Omala loses FKF Premier League Player of the Week despite Mashemeji Derby brace
The sixth round of matches saw various impressive performances among them were Brian Magare, Benson Omala, John Kiplagat, and Erick Ombija.
He was snubbed for Kenya’s friendly match against Iran in March before being called up for the four nations tournament in June but was missing again from the squad that was named for friendly matches against Qatar and South Sudan in September.
Meanwhile, the striker has revealed how criticism in last season’s Mashemeji derby fueled him to score in last weekend’s encounter.
“In the last game (derby) I didn’t score, I got some messages. I have been scoring in the other games but if you do not score in one game they start talking,” said Omala.
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20:00 - 12.10.2023
FOOTBALL ‘He is not Messi or Bergkamp’ - McKinstry's honest assessment of Gor Mahia hotshot Benson Omala’
Omala tops the goalscoring charts on six goals in the league so far this season, with his brace against AFC Leopards the pick of the bunch so far.
“The fans were telling me we need some goals in the derby and I think they motivate me.”
Omala had fluffed his lines, including missing a penalty, as Leopards beat Gor 2-1 in May.
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