Benson Omala: Why Gor Mahia striker risks suffering second successive disappointment

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FOOTBALL Benson Omala: Why Gor Mahia striker risks suffering second successive disappointment

Joel Omotto 06:00 - 14.02.2024

Gor Mahia striker Benson Omala could see lightning strike twice as he seems to be losing grip on the golden boot race, having looked firm favourite to win this season’s prize

Gor Mahia striker Benson Omala will need to quickly rediscover his scoring touch or he could end up missing out on the Golden Boot Award for a second straight season.

Omala has been stuck on nine goals since his strike against Nzoia Sugar as K’Ogalo came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 in Homa Bay on December 9.

That has seen him go through a seven-game goal drought and during that period, others have been closing in.

Now, Kenya Police striker Tito Okelo is just one goal behind while Bandari’s Francis Kahiro, who had scored six for KCB before moving to Mombasa last month, and Vincent Owino of Nairobi City Stars have seven each.

Also pushing hard are Boniface Muchiri of Ulinzi Stars, Moses Shumah of Kakamega Homeboyz and Tusker’s Eric Kapaito, who have netted six a piece, putting immense pressure on Omala.

The Gor Mahia striker will, therefore, have to find his shooting boots soon or risk playing catch up in a race that he looked destined to win.

Omala regaining his scoring touch will not only be beneficial to him but to the team as well as they currently look short of goals, having not scored more than once in each of their last six game, even if coach Johnathan McKisntry is putting on a brave face.

"It is not like he has not been having goals but top goalkeepers like Patrick Matasi and Brian Bwire denied him against Tusker and Kenya Police,” McKistry said after last weekend’s goalless draw with Ulinzi Stars.

“So long as he is making goalkeepers have a hectic time, we will keep telling him to force goalkeepers to work.”

Omala will have memories of last season in his mind when he looked set not only to win the Golden Boot but also break the 26-goal scoring record that had stood since 1976 but missed out on both.

A five-game goal drought in the final weeks of the season allowed Elvis Rupia, then at Kenya Police, to overtake him and win the top scorer’s gong after managing 27, breaking the record in the process.

Omala, who had been stuck on 25 goals for weeks, would equal the record of 26 on the final day but it was too late to dislodge Rupia.

Gor Mahia have a tricky fixture against second-placed City Stars this weekend when both the club and their marksman will hope for a positive outing since defeat will allow Simba wa Nairobi to narrow the gap to four points.

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