Benson Omala: Trouble in paradise for ex-Gor Mahia striker as transfer to Lebanon stalls

Benson Omala has returned to Kenya just weeks after joining Lebanese club Al-Safa, raising questions about the future of the former Gor Mahia striker.

Was Benson Omala persuaded to move to Lebanon?

This is the question that local football fans are asking themselves after the striker's transfer to Lebanese club Al-Safa stalled and he had to return to his homeland.

The striker was even spotted at Nyayo Stadium on Sunday as Gor Mahia crushed South Sudanese side Al Merreikh 5-1 to advance to the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League.

Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat has publicly highlighted areas where Omala needs to improve and is happy that the striker has taken that message and secured a move abroad.

This came less than a month after Omala left Gor Mahia for Al-Safa, with the Lebanese club confirming the move before he later played for them in a friendly match.

Pulse sport is clear that Omala will not return to the war-torn country after his move faced opposition and left him in limbo despite playing for the club in a friendly and even scoring a goal.

“He is back here for various reasons. One of them is the war in Lebanon, which we are not comfortable with,” a source close to the player said Pulse sports.

Benson Omala wasted no time introducing himself to his new fans as he scored his first goal in his first game for Lebanese club Al-Safa.

“The other problem is that the people who took him there lied to him. They claimed he would receive an entry fee and the money would be in his account within a day, but that didn't happen.

“He was not offered a contract and did not sign anything, not even when he played for them in the friendly.”

While Gor Mahia released the player and wished him success in the Middle East, it is unclear how the striker was able to end up playing for Al-Safa, even in a friendly match, if the formalities of his contract were not fulfilled.

Kenyan sides Gor Mahia and Kenya Police have their hands full after agreeing meetings with Egyptian giants Al Ahly and Zamalek in their respective CAF competitions.

The striker will join the Harambee Stars squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and hopes that his future will be resolved soon.

One of Omala's possible options could be a return to Gor Mahia, with the club reportedly offering him the opportunity to train with them to maintain his fitness.

“We don't want him to play here. We think he should look for another club outside the country and fulfil his dream of playing abroad.” Source added.

It is the second time in a year that Omala's transfer abroad has stalled after a planned six-month loan move to Algerian club JS Soura fell through at the last minute as his coaches and Gor Mahia blamed each other for the late submission of his documents.

Omala scored 45 league goals in the last two seasons, helping K'Ogalo win their second consecutive FKF Premier League title.

AFC Leopards sent a clear message with their defeat against Mathare United in the opening game of the season.