Benson Omala has asked Gor Mahia fans to be patient with new coach Leo Neiva's process as they prepare to take part in the Coal City International Cup in Nigeria.
Gor Mahia striker Benson Omala has imploded the fans to be patient with new coach Leo Neiva after taking charge of the club at the beginning of July.
Neiva has already taken charge of three pre-season matches in the CECAFA Kagame Cup, but won none, as Gor Mahia were bundled out of the group stages of the 2024 edition.
The club are currently stepping up preparations for the Coal City International Cup set to take place in Enugu next month, where they will be facing Corinthians, Coal City and Remo Stars, which will further prepare them for their CAF Champions League campaign which begins with a clash against Sudan’s El Merreikh.
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Gor Mahia were accustomed to pragmatic play under Johnathan McKinstry, but Neiva wants them to be more expressive on the ball.
Speaking to the media after receiving his golden boot during the awards gala, Omala was quick to explain how the players have adapted to his methods, pleading for the fans to be patient with his approach.
“We did not perform well in the Kagame Cup but the new coach is building a very good squad and everything will be fine,” Omala said.
"Every coach has his own philosophy of play. We are adapting to the new coaches methods and I believe everything will be fine.”
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Last season, the 22-year-old missed out on the golden boot award after Elvis Rupia scored 27 goals, pipping his 26. This time, he won having scored 19 goals. Reflecting on his season, Omala was delightful to have finally laid his gloves on the award.
“It is a great feeling. It was a great season for us both individually as a forward and as a striker and it has paid off.”
Omala has also broken through into the national team after a slow integration, and did well at the COSAFA Cup in South Africa, where Kenya won two of their three games and missed out on the semi-finals on goal difference.
Omala believes his display will give him a platform to be trusted more often by his colleagues.
“It has been a tough and interesting season. As a player, you look forward to play at the highest of platforms and the national team is just that.
“We won the Four Nations Tournament in Malawi, went to South Africa but although we did not make the last four, I thought we did well.”
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