- Benson Omalla’s clearance by FIFA was announced by Gor Mahia on Wednesday.
- Al Safa, his former club, had refused to release the 23-year-old, insisting he fulfill the remainder of his contract.
- Omalla rejoins the team at a crucial moment as they look to defend their top-flight title.
Kenyan record champions Gor Mahia have received a substantial boost to their squad as forward Benson Omalla has officially been cleared by FIFA to feature for the club, bolstering their bid to retain the top-flight championship.
Striker Benson Omalla is now free to play for us after being cleared by FIFA. He has been training with us for some time while awaiting the green light. We officially welcome Omalla back to the team. Kasonge sasa,” read a statement posted on the club’s social media platforms.
Omalla, who rejoined K’Ogalo during the January mid season transfer window, had been sidelined due to a contractual standoff with his former club, Lebanese outfit Al Safa.
The impasse followed his decision to terminate his contract in 2024.
Al Safa had initially refused to release the 23-year-old, insisting he fulfill the remainder of his agreement.
Omalla, who joined the Lebanese side in August 2024 from Gor Mahia, only featured briefly before returning to Kenya in September during an international break.
Following the outbreak of the Israeli-Hezbollah conflict in October 2024, he opted against returning to Lebanon.
However, Omalla cited unpaid wages and a breach of contract as the primary reasons for seeking termination of his deal.
When the club refused to comply, the striker escalated the matter to FIFA, which ultimately ruled in his favor and granted him an International Transfer Certificate (ITC), paving the way for his second stint with Gor Mahia.
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Benson Omalla joins Gor at the right moment
Omalla has been an instrumental figure for K’Ogalo in recent years. In the 2022–23 season, he was the league’s second-highest scorer with 26 goals, playing a pivotal role in helping the club reclaim the title from Tusker FC.
He followed that up with a stellar 2023–24 campaign, finishing as the FKF Premier League’s top scorer and helping Gor Mahia secure their 21st championship.
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Now back in the squad, Omalla returns at a crucial moment for the team which has struggled with a lack of a prolific striker in their pursuit of the championship.
Gor Mahia currently sits third on the FKF Premier League table with 46 points, just three behind league leaders Kenya Police FC—as the title race heats up.
Omalla’s first assignment under head coach Sinisa Mihic will come this weekend in the FKF Cup, where Gor Mahia will travel to Mombasa to face Bandari FC on Saturday, April 12, 2025.