Gor Mahia legend Sonyi explains why Omala has struggled to break his 47-year goal record

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FOOTBALL Gor Mahia legend Sonyi explains why Omala has struggled to break his 47-year goal record

Joel Omotto 18:53 - 20.06.2023

The former K’Ogalo striker has pointed out why he feels the 21-year-old has been stuck on 25 goals for nearly two months.

Gor Mahia legend Maurice Sonyi Ochieng feels fear or overconfidence could be the reason Benson Omala is yet to equal and even break his goal-scoring record in the top flight.

Sonyi holds the contentious record for the most goals in the Kenyan top flight after his 26 haul in 1976 when he led K’Ogalo to the league title. However, his record has come under threat this season from Omala, who is just one shy, after bagging 25 so far.

Omala would already be out of sight by now had he maintained his hot streak but he has endured a five-game goal drought since scoring twice against FC Talanta on April 26.

Since then, he has failed to score past Mathare United, Wazito FC, AFC Leopards, when he missed a penalty, as well as in games against Tusker FC and Ulinzi Stars and Sonyi has pointed out what he feels could be the problem.

“It could be fear or overconfidence. Sometimes a striker can have the ball and feel like they must score but it does not always go like that because there are defenders who will not allow you to score so you have to look for a way out,” Sonyi told Pulse Sports.

“Also, as a striker, if you want to score, you don’t have to stay in one position, at times, you have to run around the wings before moving centrally for you to create a good goal-scoring chance.

“He also needs to be encouraged to have the courage that when he gets the ball, no one will dispossess him because when you worry, you lose it. As a striker, you need to be between the ball and the opponent but when the ball is between you and the opponent, anyone can get it.

“Before the ball gets to you, you need to have decided what you want to do with it. You do not wait to make a decision after receiving the ball. He must also have people who feed him so that it makes it easy, he cannot do it alone.”

However, with two games remaining, the 21-year-old still has a chance to equal Sonyi’s mark, starting with Wednesday’s high stakes encounter against Kakamega Homeboyz. It is a feat Sonyi hopes will be achieved this season as he feels it has taken way too long.

“I would like someone to break it because 47 years is a lot. There was a time I told myself, if no one has broken it up to now, it means maybe whoever will break it is yet to be born,” added Sonyi.

“There are players now who can do it and even get to 30 but they are afraid and are overconfident. It has been long, I mean even if it was a child, today he is an old man. I have no problem if he breaks it, there must have been someone God chose to do it.”

Gor are top of the standings with 67 points, two ahead of Tusker, with as many games to go and a win on Wednesday will get them closer to a record-extending 20th league title.

K’Ogalo can even claim it before Sunday’s final round of matches if Robert Matano’s men drop points while they triumph.