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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.
Gor Mahia head coach Johnathan McKinstry has revealed what has made Benson Omala more than a “one-season wonder” after picking up where he left off last season to keep netting goals for fun this campaign.
Omala tops the goalscoring charts on six goals so far this season, with his brace against AFC Leopards the pick of the bunch so far.
Speaking to the press after the match, McKinstry was quick to say that people needed to stop expecting Omala to play like Bergkamp and Messi who loved to bring more to their respective teams and let the talented striker focus on his own game.
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08:38 - 12.10.2023
FOOTBALL Gor Mahia star revels in ‘dream’ Harambee Stars call-up ahead of Russia friendly
The defender expresses gratitude for his first Harambee Stars call-up for the Russia friendly, ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
“Ignoring what a lot of you guys in the media say to him,” McKinstry joked. “I had a chat with Benson a couple of days ago where we read a lot of things in the press about him needing to drop in,” he added.
“It is almost as if people want him to be Lionel Messi. There are moments where he will drop in. We saw that. (Against AFC Leopards) there was a moment where he was in an offside position. He checked into the pocket and a little outside to the boot to lay it off to Austin on the run in the first half and then pushed it to Pappy (Sibomana) on the run.
“If you read a lot of stuff from the blogs and the papers, you would think he has to be playing like Dennis Bergkamp (operating the pockets) which is not his strength.
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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
“His strength is to focus on spaces behind the opponents, moving when he needs to move but also being explosive when he needs to be explosive, not to stand in the number 10 position.”
McKinstry has revealed that asking Omala to do much more to the team would make him less effective, hence the reason he has been asking him to keep playing to his strengths of exploiting space in behind with his pace.
“If I want a number 10, I ask Austin (Odhiambo) to do it, I ask Lawi (Lawrence Juma) to do it. There is alot of noise when you are a young player scoring goals about the extra stuff you need to do and yes, we always need to add to someone’s game and we are doing it, but not at the sacrifice of what makes you a really talented player.”
Omala was left out of the Harambee Stars set up for the second time in a row, but will be hoping to finally impress Engin Firat by continuing to execute what he is best at consistently for Gor Mahia.
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13:29 - 09.10.2023
FKFPL McKinstry admits AFC Leopards had 'better chances' against Gor Mahia in Mashemeji Derby
McKinstry admitted that AFC Leopards ‘were creating the better chances’ while his side played the football before capitalising on the few opportunities they got.
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