Gor Mahia's chairman Ambrose Rachier has revealed the baffling and failed transfer saga of Benson Omala to Algerian club JS Saoura.
Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier has shed light on the tumultuous transfer saga involving the club's star striker Benson Omala and Algerian club JS Saoura.
The transfer, initially announced with great excitement by Gor Mahia, eventually collapsed in a web of mystery and confusion.
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Rachier has disclosed the series of events that unfolded leaving the Kenyan football fraternity baffled and intrigued.
"Three people came to my office when we were having the usual Executive Committee meeting on Thursday and insisted on seeing us late evening. One was a Somali man known as Ali, Omala's agent Stephen Ochiel, and another man," Rachier said as per Nation.
The chairman further detailed the perplexing encounter revealing that Ali, who appeared to be at the forefront of the supposed transfer, demonstrated a surprising lack of knowledge about the city of Algiers itself.
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Concerns escalated when the club reached out to Omala to confirm his knowledge of the proposed transfer. To their astonishment, the talented striker professed complete ignorance of any such offer.
"It was on a Friday, and Omala said he was not aware of any deal. The coach said since there was a match on Saturday, such a discussion would destabilize the player," Rachier elaborated.
However, the pressure continued to mount as Omala's father, Peter Oluoch, inundated Rachier and other club officials with numerous calls.
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Even Information, Communication, and Digital Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo got involved in the matter.
Under the weight of these relentless inquiries, Omala eventually acknowledged the enticing offer and expressed his readiness to make the move.
"We are paying Ksh150,000, and if somebody is paying you Ksh1.2 million, then you have to be enticed," Rachier explained, reflecting on the financial incentives that ultimately swayed the player's decision.
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With Omala's consent secured, Gor Mahia finally gave the green light for his transfer to JS Saoura.
The club immediately swung into action to complete the necessary paperwork, aware that the Algerian transfer window was set to close on Monday midnight.
As the deadline loomed, Gor Mahia believed everything was proceeding as planned, with all the required approvals seemingly on JS Saoura's side.
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"We even made a follow-up in the TMS system, and even called Ochiel, and Omala’s father's phone was off," Rachier recounted.
However, the shocking twist came at 11 pm on Monday when the club received the devastating news that the transfer had failed, and JS Saoura had registered another player in Omala's stead.
This unexpected turn of events has left Benson Omala facing an uncertain future, with his hopes of a second stint abroad hanging in the balance.
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