Omurwa’s status at Estrela Amadora raises eyebrows after he is omitted from squad for sixth match in a row

STARS ABROAD Omurwa’s status at Estrela Amadora raises eyebrows after he is omitted from squad for sixth match in a row

Mark Kinyanjui 10:31 - 17.03.2024

Johnstone Omurwa has made 15 top-flight appearances for Estrela this season, but has been left out of the side's last six matches, raising concerns among Kenyan fans.

Harambee Stars defender Johnstone Omurwa was left out of Estrela Amaradora’s matchday squad for the sixth league game in a row during Estrela’s 0-0 draw with Familicao, raising questions about his development.

The lanky defender was called up to the Harambee Stars squad for the Malawi Four Nations tournament, but head coach Engin Firat will surely be concerned that he has not been accumulating many minutes in recent games.

Omurwa has taken part in 15 league games in the Portuguese top flight since Estrela won promotion back to the topflight of Portuguese football, but has not featured at all since February.

It is particularly surprising, considering that he seemed to have cemented his status as a starting right-sided centre back at the club.

His status is not helped by the fact the club signed Diogo Fonseca on loan from Braga in January, which means competition for the role is stiff.

The only other time Omurwa had missed a number of matches for Estrela was after he suffered an injury in late 2023, which ruled him out for four matches, before he returned in late December and featured in the next four ties.

In a recent press conference, however, Omurwa insisted it was about trusting the process, considering he has already played double the minutes he featured last season in the second division after signing for the club from Wazito.

“It is the part of the process and I believe I am developing everyday,” Omurwa said.

“Last season was maybe not a good one for me but I was learning a lot and now, I have got a chance to play and I have played (as of the game against Sporting in November) almost the same number of matches as I played in the second league, which is part of the process individually.

“The growth is there and furthermore, I know the more the games that I will play, the more the confidence will come and the more I will develop.”

When on the pitch, he has made a combined 2.7 tackles and interceptions per 90 minutes, as well as made 4.5 ball recoveries per match. He averagely wins 3.4 total duels a match.

It remains to be seen whether Omurwa will return to the starting line-up soon, but he will be hoping that the minutes he will get on the pitch in Malawi will help him regain his sharpness.

Follow the Pulse Sports WhatsApp channel for more updates and analysis.