Alphonce Omija, the young Gor Mahia defender whose calm presence anchored Kenya’s back line at the African Nations Championship, has completed a move to a Tunisian club.
The 23-year-old caught the eye after a string of assured performances at the 2024 CHAN. Kenya topped a tough group that included Morocco, DR Congo, Zambia and Angola, conceding just twice on the way to the quarterfinals. Omija even scored in the knockout match against Madagascar, though he later missed his penalty as Kenya bowed out on spot kicks.
Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy confirmed the transfer on Monday during a press briefing ahead of Kenya’s World Cup qualifier against Seychelles.
“Yeah, we had one other player leave the camp,” McCarthy told reporters. “It was only right to allow him to go, because the window was closing and he needed to finalise his medicals. Alphonce Omija won’t be available for selection tomorrow.”
Omija, who can play both in defence and midfield, came through Gor Mahia’s youth ranks before spells at Kariobangi Sharks and Oman’s Dhofar SC. He rejoined Gor in July 2024 and was part of the squad that lifted the Kenyan Premier League title last year.
Gor Mahia officials said the move to Tunisia was completed after Omija passed his medical on Tuesday. “The North Africans are always very strict on medicals before concluding the deal,” said Ronald Ngala, the club’s Administrative Secretary. “We can’t share details of the contract yet. His agents will brief us once it is final.”
The transfer ends months of speculation. Omija had brushed aside questions about his future during CHAN, telling journalists, “The tournament and the team are what matter for me now. I’ll think about club football after.”
For Gor Mahia, the departure is a blow. Omija played a key role in their title-winning 2024 season and was central again this year, even as the club finished second behind Police FC and lost the FKF Cup final to Nairobi United.
Still, the move marks another Kenyan making his way into North African football, where competition is fierce and standards high. For Omija, it is the reward for a tournament that proved he could stand tall against the continent’s best.
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