Gor Mahia sign Omalla, Njau as Leopards pursue Gor Mahia prospects/players
Gor Mahia have completed the signing of a second player from Western Stima namely goalkeeper Simon Njau. Western Stima has been wracked by player exits after their main sponsor (KPLC) pulled out. Njau is the second goalkeeper signed after Levis Opiyo who joined from Nairobi City Stars. The two will replace David Mapigano and Peter Odhiambo who left for Azam and Wazito respectively. Njau also played for Ligi Ndogo and SoNy Sugar before joining Western Stima.
Benson Omalla
Secondary school sensation Benson Omalla has formally put pen to paper to join Kogallo. The 17 year who is still attending Kisumu Day secondary school, first made waves when he shone in the Chapa Dimba tournament where he was the Nyanza region top scorer and when he led Kisumu day to the regional championships. He was named the KPL Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) Player of the Month for December and ended the season with 9 goals including three in one match against Zoo Kericho. He has signed a 5 year contract.
Omalla’s stated ambition is to move to bigger leagues
“I want to establish my game at Western Stima before I move out of the country. I aspire to play for Manchester United or Barcelona in the future,” he stated in the past.
Lawrence Juma
AFC Leopards are aggressively pursuing Gor Mahia midfield ace Lawrence Juma according to reports on goal.com. Juma has been an integral part of the Kogalo midfield since joining from Nzoia Sugar. Goal reports that Juma posted a cryptic message on social media that read: “Turn on the flashing blue lights,” Juma’s post, accompanied by a photo in the national team colours. It sent AFC fans into a frenzy.
Sofapaka are also pursuing Juma who featured in the national team that played in the 2019 CECAFA senior challenge cup. “I understand Sofapaka have made an approach already but recently even AFC Leopards have shown interest in him,” the source told goal.com
Jules Ulimwengu
Reports suggest that Jules Ulimwengu who was reported to be on his way to Gor Mahia, is also being pursued by AFC.
“Ulimwengu wants a move to AFC Leopards whereas the agent prefers that he signs for Gor Mahia. That is the situation of the development so far,” an unnamed source told goal.com.
Last season, Kogalo and Ingwe were also engaged in a tussle for John Makwatta who eventually joined Ingwe.
I have seen many young players hyped up only for them to fall down to earth and not meet expectations. This is especially true for strikers. I hope Omalla has good advisers and can withstand the pressure of playing for a team with demanding fans.
Omalla’s case is indeed exciting. Five years is indeed encouraging for both parties. Not the mbili mbili Kama kawaida cartel.
Big up mighty kogalo, the limit is the sky
I think Omalla is one of the players identified by Pollack. The delayed 4th form exams may affect his output but it’s a good signing anyway.
With a steady management, read timely payment of salaries, GMFC should be able to retain the next league title but CAF CL still seems a long short this season given high turnover of players this time.
What is puzzling though is the so called “youth team”.
Is there no player who has merited promotion to the senior team?
Also caution should be taken against bloating the squad which in turn bloats the monthly payroll with idlers. Inflow of new players is out-matching release of excess baggage who did not play a single match last season.
In my opinion these signings so far look up to the task, especially the western stima players who are always solid and hard to beat.
However, I think we are now overstocked in midfield since we haven’t really dropped any players and we still don’t know the position of Juma and Muguna.
Unless the management knows something we don’t. Am hoping we can get Ulimwengu then close the recruitment and get down to some serious business.
Second guessing Ulimwengu should just look in the direction of the blue flashing lights. At least Le Blues will feel some accomplishment out of the field.
Waaaaa I think now we need to stop. Those signings are too many. How will they fit into the team with the current crop of players that we already have?
It would be a waste to see omalla’s talent and effort go down the drain.Canbthe executive do a deal with his parents and transfer him to one of the Nairobi schools? Let’s build this talent for both parties involved. What’s your take?
My take is we loan him out to western stima for next season to avoid shuttling him up and down during the exam year…