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Harambee Stars boss Engin Firat has heaped praise on the impact the former Gor Mahia and Kariobangi Sharks defender has brought to the team since his heroic debut against Ivory Coast in June
Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat has heaped praise on Alphonce Omija following his recent rise to prominence with the national side since his heroic debut against Ivory Coast last June.
The 21-year-old defender, who plays for Omani club Dhofar, earned his first call-up for Kenya’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against the African champions as well as Burundi, held in Lilongwe, Malawi, on June 7th and 11th, respectively.
Though Omija was an unused substitute in the 1-1 draw against Burundi, he made his debut against the African champions in a game that ended in a 0-0 draw at the Bingu National Stadium.
With injuries to key defenders Joseph Okumu of Ligue 1 outfit Reims and Erick Ouma of Ekstraklasa club Rakow Czestochowa, Firat deployed Omija in the defensive role alongside Johnstone Omurwa, Daniel Anyembe, and Aboud Omar.
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Facing the formidable attacking trio of Simon Adingra, Emmanuel Latte Lath, and Jeremie Boga, Omija delivered a standout performance.
He made 89 touches, completed 64 passes, delivered three accurate long balls, provided three key passes, made six ball recoveries, and won five aerial duels. Omija's exceptional play helped Kenya secure a crucial point, increasing their tally to five in the six-team Group F.
He also played a key role during the COSAFA Cup, where he featured as a hybrid right back and wide right center back against Zimbabwe, Comoros and Zambia. He combined well down that flank with the likes of Rooney Onyango, and also did his defensive work well.
Firat praised Omija’s patience and readiness to seize his opportunity.
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“Everyone from outside is maybe surprised seeing the qualities of Omija, 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 and he did his job well. Also, he is only a boy who is 21,” Firat told SportsBoom.com
Omija's impressive display earned him a spot in Kenya’s Emerging Stars squad for the 23rd edition of the COSAFA Cup in South Africa.
In the tournament opener against Zambia, Omija's performance was instrumental in Kenya's 2-0 victory, courtesy of goals from Austin Odhiambo and Patrick Otieno.
Despite a 2-0 defeat against Comoros in their second fixture, Omija's defensive efforts prevented a larger margin. He played the full 90 minutes in Kenya’s 2-0 win over Zimbabwe in the final pool match.
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Firat, who took charge of Kenya in 2022 after replacing Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee, highlighted Omija as a prime example of neglected talent.
“You should also remember that Alphonce (Omija) was in the Kenyan league and nobody gave him a real chance, nobody. So, when I invited him for the first time to join Harambee Stars camp, nobody knew where he had been and most people didn’t even know who he was,” added Firat.
Omija began his career at FKF Premier League champions Gor Mahia, where he made only one appearance during the 2019/20 season.
He then moved to Kariobangi Sharks for the 2020/21 campaign, managing 20 appearances before signing with Dhofar. Last season, he featured 19 times for Dhofar, scoring one goal.
Engin Firat’s faith in Omija has not only showcased the young defender’s potential but also underscored the importance of giving overlooked talents a chance to shine.
As Omija continues to impress on the international stage, his journey serves as an inspiration for many aspiring footballers in Kenya and beyond.
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