Omalla who signed a one-year contract with the Lebanese side seems not to be lucky with matters transfers.
When Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat unveiled his provisional Squad for the upcoming AFCON qualifiers double header against Cameroon, the absence of Lebanon-based forward Benson Omalla raised eyebrows. Recent reports suggest that Omalla may not be considered for national team duties in the near future due to complications with his club.
It is believed that his new club, Al-Safa FC, has lodged a complaint to FIFA regarding Omalla’s conduct and has refused to officially release him for international duty.
Omalla’s woes began when he returned to the country just three weeks after joining the Lebanese side. Many speculated that the deal had fallen through and he was attempting to rejoin Gor Mahia, especially since he returned seven days before the international break.
He was named in the squad that faced Zimbabwe and Namibia in the AFCON qualifiers and was expected to depart for Lebanon afterward. However, Omalla refused to travel back unless his club settled his signing on fees. Al-Safa FC on the other hand insisted that the player travels to Lebanon first, promising his dues would be addressed once he rejoined the team.
After a few days of uncertainty, the Lebanese Football Association postponed all football activities due to Israel’s attacks in southern Lebanon. It remains unclear whether his signing fees has been settled.
Omalla who signed a one-year contract with the Lebanese side seems not to be lucky with matters transfers. Earlier February this year, his loan deal to Algerian Club Jeunesse Sportive de la Saoura didn’t materialize. If it went through, Omalla was set to receive KES 1.3 million per month as his salary together with a house, personal car, medical insurance and match bonuses.
Despite currently being in the country, Omalla cannot be called up to the national team without permission from his club. “This is a serious matter. The club is questioning why the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has not taken action against him. As it stands, he is not part of our plans for the foreseeable future.” stated an anonymous FKF official.
Omalla has been spotted training with his boyhood club, Manyatta FC. The uncertainty surrounding his career continues and the football community in the country is eager to see how the situation will unfold while hoping for the best.