The former Gor Mahia player and assistant coach feels being omitted from the Harambee Stars squad has fueled the fire in Benson Omala’s belly
Former Gor Mahia defender Sammy ‘Pamzo’ Omollo believes Benson Omala is being spurred by his constant omissions from the national team by Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat.
Omala has not been selected for Kenya’s last three friendly matches despite topping the scoring charts in the FKF Premier League.
![Gor Mahia coach McKinstry explains why Benson Omala has been overlooked at Harambee Stars](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/22102023/ecccfb94-a605-4a07-a079-cc601f244c93.jpg?operations=fit(180:))
19:12 - 23.10.2023
FKFPL Gor Mahia coach McKinstry explains why Benson Omala has been overlooked at Harambee Stars
McKinstry has compared the the 22-year-old to Chelsea great Didier Drogba, revealing that he would have included him in his squad back when he was the Uganda coach.
The Gor Mahia striker was not called to Kenya’s squad for September’s doubleheader against Qatar and South Sudan and was also omitted from the team that faced Russia last week, leading to uproar from a section of fans who feel his record warrants a place in the side.
Omala has, however, continued doing his talking on the pitch and was on target again when Gor Mahia beat Tusker 1-0 last weekend to take his tally to seven goals from as many games and Pamzo feels being overlooked has actually worked in the striker’s favour since he keeps proving his doubters wrong.
Follow Pulse Sports Kenya channel for more news.
![Harambee Stars legend Dennis Oliech makes surprising take on Michael Olunga and rising star Benson Omala](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/19102023/205f8afb-0cb5-418b-b9f5-2e785130f809.jpeg?operations=fit(180:))
13:36 - 19.10.2023
Harambee Stars legend Dennis Oliech makes surprising take on Michael Olunga and rising star Benson Omala
Dennis Oliench has revealed why Harambee Stars fans should cut Michael Olunga some slack whilst giving his honest opinion on Benson Omala.
“Omala is being spurred by not being called in the national team because he is great. If it was another player, he could have lost hope but Omala is fighting,” said Pamzo, a former Gor assistant coach.
“Inside him, he knowns that he deserves to be in the national team but every game, he is giving his best and I think he is an important player for Gor.”
![Benson Omala: 'How I deal with media spotlight and public pressure'](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/17102023/3dfd9ba1-8843-4c62-92c2-6a12fe558b34.jpg?operations=fit(180:))
09:30 - 18.10.2023
FKFPL Benson Omala: 'How I deal with media spotlight and public pressure'
Omala’s rise to prominence since being named the SJAK player of the month as a form three student at Kisumu Day high school has made him a newsmaker in local football circles for the last four years.
Pamzo’s sentiments mirror those of Gor coach Jonathan McKinstry who believes the young striker does not need to prove much to anyone.
“Maybe I am the perfect coach to come and work with Benson. Ninety per cent it is him, only 10 per cent is me. But he fits into the way I want to play football perfectly,” McKinstry said on Sunday.
![Namwamba defends Firat over Gor Mahia striker Benson Omala’s Harambee Stars snub](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/15102023/470001e1-a437-448f-9db9-f2cb02c39de0.jpg?operations=fit(180:))
11:00 - 15.10.2023
FOOTBALL Namwamba defends Firat over Gor Mahia striker Benson Omala’s Harambee Stars snub
Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba has come to the defence of Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat after he was accused of ‘favouritism’ for not selecting Gor Mahia’s Benson Omala
“Does he fit into the way other coaches want to play football? That is for them to decide. I know that had he been a Ugandan when I was the Uganda coach, he probably been in my squad but every coach gets to pick the players they want to pick. I am pleased that he plays for me and not another KPL team.”
Omala was last selected to the Harambee Stars squad for the four-nations tournament in June but did not play in either matches against Pakistan or Mauritius.
![Gor Mahia’s Benson Omala responds to Firat after Harambee Stars snub](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/14102023/6c1fcce1-ba18-4e47-85bb-215c7ae944a3.jpg?operations=fit(180:))
11:15 - 14.10.2023
FOOTBALL Gor Mahia’s Benson Omala responds to Firat after Harambee Stars snub
Gor Mahia striker Benson Omala has broken his silence following his omission from the Harambee Stars squad despite being the FKF Premier League’s leading scorer
He finished last season second on the top scorer’s charts with a record-equaling 26 goals, and has started this campaign in brilliant fashion again, as he has three more than FC Talanta’s Erick Ombija while Geoffrey Onyango (Kariobangi Sharks), Moses Shumah (Kakamega Homeboyz) and Collins Neto (Muhoroni Youth) each have three.