The 21-year-old is unfazed by the potential arrival of new strikers at K’Ogalo who will compete with him for a spot in the team.
Gor Mahia striker Benson Omala would not mind if the club adds another forward ahead of next season as they seek to challenge on multiple fronts.
Omala is off a stellar season where he has scored a record-equaling 26 goals to help Gor Mahia to their 20th league title, a feat that has seen him attract the interest of a number of teams.
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The 21-year-old striker is the subject of interest from South African and Tanzanian clubs after his stellar campaign for K’Ogalo.
However, head Johnathan McKinstry has talked about the need to strengthen the squad with attack one of the areas he wants to improve which might mean plenty of competition for Omala, who has enjoyed an interrupted spell in the team.
The 21-year-old is, however, unfazed by whatever the new arrivals will present and even feels it would be a good thing if he has someone challenging him for a spot in the starting XI.
“Competition has been there before, we also had players who were signed but not registered. They gave us a good push even if they were not playing. In training, there was competition which made us sharp and helped us score goals to win the league,” Omala told Pulse Sports.
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The 21-year-old appeared a shoo-in for the top scorer’s gong two months ago but was beaten to it by Elvis Rupia of Kenya Police
“In case they sign another striker, it will be a good thing because it will make me work even harder than the just-concluded season. That means it will be easy for me to score more which is a good thing.”
Omala benefited greatly from Gor’s inability to sign new players when they were slapped with a transfer ban by FIFA last year owing to non-payment of salary arrears to former players.
With McKinstry’s hands tied, he put his trust in youth with Omala among those given a bigger responsibility and they responded positively, helping the club to a record-extending 20th league title.
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The tactician feels K’Ogalo will have to choose carefully before making new signings given their limited budget
Omala has previously faced stiff competition at Gor, especially when he joined the club in 2020 when Nicholas Kipkirui, Burundian Jules Ulimwengu, and Tito Okello of South Sudan we preferred ahead of him.
It was even reported that lack of opportunities is the reason he opted for a short-term deal with Swedish Division One side FC Linkoping City the following year but his recent goal record will make it hard for McKinstry to drop him next season.
Gor will not only be competing in the FKF Premier League but also in the CAF Champions League, hence the need to have a deep squad full of quality and experience.