Gor Mahia striker Benson Omalla has finally found reprieve against his former employers Al Safa in a dragged-out contract dispute.
Gor Mahia’s hopes of reclaiming the FKF Premier League title have received a significant boost after FIFA cleared striker Benson Omalla to play for the club. The talented forward had been sidelined for months due to a transfer dispute with his former club, Safa SC of Lebanon, but he is now officially available to feature for K’Ogalo in the remainder of the season.
Omalla had joined Gor Mahia in February 2025 as part of the club’s mid-season transfer plans. This move marked a return to the club for the 23-year-old striker, who had previously enjoyed a successful spell with Gor Mahia. However, his reintroduction to Kenyan football was delayed after Safa SC, his previous club, refused to release his International Transfer Certificate (ITC), halting the transfer process.
The saga began in August 2024 when Omalla made the move to Safa SC after finishing as the top scorer in the FKF Premier League. His time in Lebanon, however, was short-lived as political instability and safety concerns prompted Omalla to return home to Kenya. Despite the resumption of the Lebanese league, Omalla decided not to return, citing personal safety concerns. Safa SC, however, maintained that Omalla was still under contract and demanded that he report back to the club. This led to a dispute over his ITC, which ultimately resulted in the delay of his transfer back to Gor Mahia.
Unable to resolve the issue directly with Safa SC, both Omalla and Gor Mahia took the matter to FIFA, the governing body of world football. After several months of uncertainty, FIFA ruled in favour of the player, granting him the necessary clearance to join his new club. Gor Mahia confirmed the development on their official Instagram page, stating that Omalla had been training with the team while waiting for clearance and that he was now officially free to play for the club.
The news of Omalla’s clearance comes as a welcome relief to Gor Mahia, who had been missing a key figure in their attacking lineup. Gor Mahia head coach Sinisa Mihic had been vocal about the lack of quality upfront following a disappointing goalless draw in the Mashemeji Derby against AFC Leopards. Mihic had highlighted the team’s need for a clinical finisher, and Omalla’s return could not have come at a better time for the club. The Kisumu Day alumnus had scored an impressive 24 goals during the 2023/24 FKF Premier League season, making him the league’s Golden Boot winner, and his return is expected to give Gor Mahia the much-needed firepower to challenge for the title.
With Gor Mahia currently sitting in third place on the FKF Premier League table with 46 points, just three points behind leaders Kenya Police FC, Omalla’s arrival gives the club a realistic chance of catching up with the league leaders. Gor Mahia also have a game in hand, which means they could close the gap and potentially move to the top of the table in the coming weeks.
Before they resume league action, Gor Mahia will face Bandari FC in the Mozzart Bet Cup Round of 16 on Saturday, April 12, at the KPA Sports Club, Mbaraki in Mombasa. This cup tie will be Omalla’s first opportunity to make his long-awaited return to competitive football, and it is likely that fans will be eager to see if he can quickly find his form after months of waiting. Should Omalla hit the ground running, he could prove to be a key player in the club’s quest for silverware this season.
For both Omalla and Gor Mahia, the FIFA clearance marks a fresh start. Omalla, who had faced uncertainty over his future in recent months, now has the chance to rediscover his form and continue his career in a familiar environment. Gor Mahia, on the other hand, now have a proven goalscorer who can bolster their attack as they aim to close the gap in the title race. The striker’s return offers hope for the club’s supporters, and his impact could be the deciding factor in whether Gor Mahia can lift the FKF Premier League trophy once again this season.
With the clearance in hand and a fresh opportunity ahead, Omalla is now focused on helping Gor Mahia achieve success in the remainder of the season, both in the league and in the Mozzart Bet Cup. His return to the team represents a significant step forward for the club, as they look to challenge for the title and bring silverware back to the club.
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