Omalla: We Have To Give Our Best If We Want To Stay In Cecafa

_{Kenyan Premier League Golden Boot winner Benson Omalla in a past action. PHOTO/ COURTESY}

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania- Record Kenyan champions Gor Mahia FC will take on ASAS Telecom of Djibouti in their second match of the ongoing 2024 Cecafa Kagame Cup in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania on Saturday.

Gor are out to redeem themselves in the encounter after being outwitted by Red Arrows of Zambia in their opening fixture on Wednesday.

Prolific striker Benson Omalla has pledged to be on target for K’Ogalo as they look for redemption to stay in the regional showpiece.

_{Gor Mahia FC player tussle for the ball against Red Arrows opponent at the onging Cecafa Kagame Cup in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. PHOTO/ TFF}

“We have to be serious now, we have to give more than a hundred percent if we want to stay in this tournament,” Omalla told the media.

“We have no excuse but to win the two remaining matches for us to move forward in this tournament, personally I will give my all on Saturday.”

After playing Telecom, Gor will tackle Al Hilal of Sudan who are currently topping Pool B in the championship. 

While explaining their rough start in the tournament where Gor are looking for a fourth trophy after their impressive outing of 1985 where they beat perennial rivals and compatriots AFC Leopards 2-1 in the final, Omalla said: “We have a new coach, it was his first match and we are learning hiss philosophy and style of play. New signings are also getting into the team, so we are yet to gel as a squad.”

The Kenyan Premier League (KPL) Golden Boot winner (19 goals) also attributed their lackluster performance against the Red Arrows to the uncomfortable humid Dar weather which he stated they are yet to acclimatize to.

_{Kenyan Premier League Golden Boot winner Benson Omalla carry a team mate afer scoring in a past action. PHOTO/ COURTESY}

However, despite the drawbacks, Omalla urges his team mates to use Cecafa as a vehicle to market themselves to regional clubs.

“My aim is to play football at the top level and Cecafa now gives me that avenue to showcase my skills to the continent.

“The scouts are here and who knows if you could be spotted. We are also using this tournament as a pre -season training for the KPL and the forthcoming CAF Champions League which will also be another very rich platform to show ourselves to Africa and the world,” Omalla stated.