• FOOTBALL

• Frank Rotich 4 days ago

‎Kenyan international Omalla leaves Cambodian club after five months

Harambee Stars striker Benson Omalla has parted ways with Cambodian Premier League side Visakha, just five months after joining the club from Kenyan giants Gor Mahia.

Omalla signed a three-year contract with the Phnom Penh-based side on July 5 after his short-term deal with Gor Mahia came to an end.

However, the move has now ended earlier than expected, with both parties agreeing to part ways.

‎In a statement released on their official Facebook page on Tuesday, December 16, Visakha FC thanked the Kenyan forward for his service and wished him well in the next chapter of his career.

“Thank you, player Benson Ochieng, for your hard work and dedication in helping our club over the past period. We wish Benson the very best of luck and continued success in his career going forward,” the club said.

During his short stay in Cambodia, Omalla made eight league appearances for Visakha and scored three goals.

Despite limited game time, the striker showed glimpses of the form that made him one of the most feared forwards in the FKF Premier League.

‎Omalla rose to prominence during the 2023/24 season after winning the FKF Premier League Golden Boot.

He scored 19 goals for Gor Mahia and played a key role in their title-winning campaign before seeking opportunities abroad.

‎The exit from Visakha marks Omalla’s third difficult spell outside Kenya. In 2021, he joined Swedish side Linköping City on loan, but the move did not last long.

He later signed for Lebanese club Al-Safa SC in August 2024, but his stay was cut short in early 2025 due to unpaid wages and the suspension of the Lebanese Premier League amid war.

‎Following his return from Lebanon, Omalla rejoined Gor Mahia midway through the 2024/25 season.

However, the campaign ended in disappointment for the club as they failed to defend their league title, which was won by Kenya Police, and lost 2-1 to Nairobi United in the Mozzart Bet Cup final.

‎Earlier in February 2024, Omalla also missed out on a move to Algerian side JS Saoura after transfer paperwork delays reportedly caused the deal to collapse.

‎The former Western Stima striker, who developed his football skills at Kisumu Day High School, is currently back in Kenya.

He has been training to keep fit alongside a group of unattached players as he considers his next move.

‎Omalla remains one of Kenya’s most proven goal scorers, and many will be watching closely to see where his career heads next.