‘I Saved 55 Million!’ - Alphonce Omija on Goalline Clearance in Harambee Stars’ CHAN 2024 Opening Win

Gor Mahia defender Alphonce Omija has reflected on his heroic goalline clearance during Harambee Stars’ 1-0 win over DR Congo in their opening 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN) clash at Kasarani Stadium on Sunday, August 3.

Omija, who started at the back alongside fellow K’Ogalo defender Sylvester Owino, was all-action throughout the match, making some timely clearances and challenges as he helped Kenya clinch their first win of the tournament.

The clearance came in  the dying minutes of the match to ensure that they clinched victory. Fellow Gor Mahia teammates Austin Odhiambo and Alpha Onyango scored the lone goal and got awarded the man of the match award respectively.

Before the tournament started, Kenya President William Ruto had pledged to award every player a million shillings for every win, and 500,000 for every draw. As a result of the win, the squad got 40 million shillings richer.

Responding to a question on what that clearance meant for him, Omija chose to look at the bigger picture, explaining that the clearance had a massive effect on saving the country’s grace, rather than just making all the members of the dressing room richer.

“It was a good moment. I felt like the last man standing for the team. It was a proud moment for me. Everyone congratulated me, but I had to do it for the nation — for everyone involved,” Omija said.

“That win wasn’t just for me, it was for everybody. I managed to save 55 million (people), I think,” he jokingly added, sending the room into laughter.

Kenya are set to face Angola in their second match of group A at the same venue, from 7:00 PM on Thursday, August 7, and Omija believes there is still alot of work to be done.

The defender believes defensive astuteness at the back will be key to the side gathering all three points against Pedro Goncalves’s side, who lost 2-0 to Morocco at Nyayo Stadium in their first game.

“We’ve prepared to improve. We worked on the areas where things didn’t go well, and even in the areas where we did well, we focused on how to do better,” Omija said.

“It’s all about concentration, especially at the back. The clean sheet — or lack of it — isn’t just on the defenders. Like I said before, defending starts from the top. It’s a team effort. Everyone is involved.

“If the concentration is at 100%, everything will work out across every position — from back to front.”

Beyond CHAN, Omija says the players are keenly aware of the tournament’s potential to shape their professional futures.

“This tournament is a great platform. Everyone is working hard to take the next step — to move up into other leagues around the world. It’s a great opportunity for all of us,” he said.

“Whoever gets the chance to play has to make it count. You have to work. You have to show something. Because in every tournament like this, there are scouts and agents watching — and you don’t know who’s watching.

“As long as you give 100%, anything can happen. That’s why everybody is motivated to be here and to give their best.”