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The Harambee Stars defender returned to Gor Mahia after spending time with the youth team before moving to Kariobangi Sharks and then Oman.
Gor Mahia CEO Omondi Aduda has expressed his optimism that the return of defender Omija to the club could be a significant boost for their continental campaign.
Omija, who had a brief stint with Omani club Dhofar, has rejoined the Kenyan champions in a move that has sparked mixed reactions among fans and pundits alike.
Omija’s journey has been anything but predictable. After leaving Kariobangi Sharks, where he made 20 appearances in the 2022-23 season, Omija moved to Dhofar in Oman on February 7, 2023.
His move abroad was seen as a step forward in his career, especially given his promotion to the senior Harambee Stars squad. However, his time with Dhofar ended abruptly after just one season, with the club opting not to renew his contract.
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19:31 - 02.08.2024
The millions Gor Mahia will miss out on after failing to feature at Coal City International Cup
Gor Mahia players’ go-slow has proven costly to the club as the Kenyan champions will miss out on a big fortune following their inability to travel to Nigeria for the Coal City tournament.
This unexpected turn led Omija back to Gor Mahia, a club he briefly featured for in the 2019/20 season, making only one appearance.
Omija’s decision to return to Gor Mahia instead of pursuing another opportunity abroad has stirred a variety of opinions among football fans. Some see it as a step backward for a player with rising prospects.
“Omija’s sky was high up and now it has come down,” said Jeff Aroto, a fan reacting to the news on SportsBoom.
Wilfred Osamo echoed this sentiment, saying, “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.”
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05:00 - 01.08.2024
Harambee Stars coach Firat explains why Alphonce Omija's move to Gor Mahia is a step forward in his career
Engin Firat explains why Alphonce Omija's move to Gor Mahia is actually a step forward in his career.
Despite the mixed reactions, Gor Mahia’s CEO, Omondi Aduda, remains confident that Omija will make a significant impact. Aduda believes Omija has the potential to solidify the team’s defense as they prepare for their continental engagements, including the CAF Champions League.
“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,” Aduda asserted. “Now that we are participating in the Champions League, I must say he is the right catch.”
Aduda also emphasized Omija’s qualities, noting his discipline and the defensive strength he brings to the team.
“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, and with him, our defensive line will be strong enough,” he added.
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19:01 - 31.07.2024
EXPLAINED: Understanding the Gor Mahia players’ standoff over prize money: contracts, rights, and responsibilities
This is why players are not necessarily entitled to price money from competitions after Gor Mahia players were involved in a stand off with the club management citing the fact that they deserved bonus shares for the price money they received from FKF.
Omija’s return comes on the heels of a disappointing outing for Gor Mahia in the 2024 CECAFA Kagame Cup held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The team, which was aiming for a fourth title, struggled throughout the tournament.
They failed to win a single match, losing 1-0 to eventual champions Red Arrows of Zambia, drawing 1-1 with ASAS Djibouti Telecom, and falling 2-0 to Al Hilal of Sudan. Notably, Omija did not feature in any of these matches, leaving fans eager to see how his inclusion will change the team’s fortunes going forward.
As Gor Mahia prepares for the upcoming season and their continental challenges, the spotlight will be on Omija to see if he can live up to the expectations set by Aduda and the fans.
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