Benson Omala encounters fresh setback in his controversial transfer to Lebanon

Kenyan striker Benson Omala scores for Al-Safa during a friendly match with Sahal Youth. Photo: Al-Safa

Benson Omala encounters fresh setback in his controversial transfer to Lebanon

Joel Omotto 06:52 - 26.09.2024

Former Gor Mahia striker Benson Omala faces an extended period without playing after the Lebanese league was suspended due to worsening security situation in the country.

Benson Omala’s dream to play in Lebanon has suffered a setback after the Lebanese league was suspended indefinitely due to the deteriorating security situation in the country.

The Lebanese Football Association announced an indefinite suspension of all football competitions in the country due to the worsening security situation after Israeli airstrikes targeted Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon, sparking fears of escalating conflict.

It means the Lebanese Premier League, whose 2024-25 season had just kicked off last week, will now not be played until calm returns in the war-torn country, a significant blow to Omala who was preparing to head back to Lebanon, after thrashing out the issues that had led to a standoff over his transfer to Al-Safa.

Omala had joined the club from Gor Mahia last month, and even featured in a friendly match in which he scored, but he was back in Kenya a few days later.

It later emerged that the player had not been satisfied by the terms of his deal and was demanding payment of a signing-on fee before he went back.

Al-Safa had initially expected Omala to link up with them ahead of their league opener against Racing Beirut last weekend, which they won 4-1, but he could not make it owing to the standoff.

But with an agreement reportedly reached, his travel plans seem to have been scuttled by the league suspension.

“Due to the current security situation, the football league will be postponed to a date that will be decided later,” the Lebanese Football Association announced.