FOOTBALL: Rueful Omala reflects on his six-game goal drought that cost him the Golden Boot and a piece of history

The 21-year-old appeared a shoo-in for the top scorer’s gong two months ago but was beaten to it by Elvis Rupia of Kenya Police

Gor Mahia striker Benson Omala feels a lot of workload in the last two months of the season is the reason he missed out on the Golden Boot Award.

Omala was a firm favourite to claim the top scorer’s gong and even break the 47-year record of 26 league goals in a season set by former Gor striker Maurice ‘Sonyi’ Ochieng as early as May but was stuck on 25 goals for two months until the final day when he equaled the record.

He, however, missed out on the Golden Boot award, which was claimed by Elivs Rupia of Kenya Police, who scored 27, after coming from behind to dislodge him.

Omala scored two goals as Gor beat FC Talanta 2-1 on April 26 but endured a drought against Mathare United, Wazito FC, AFC Leopards, Tusker FC, Ulinzi Stars and Kakamega Homeboyz before he opened the scoring in Sunday’s final league match against Nairobi City Stars when Gor won 4-1 to claim the league title.

“I feel proud I have equaled him (Sonyi) so the next job for me is to surplus them. That is my ambition next season,” Omala told Pulse Sports.

“The effects of playing so many games for an upcoming player like me, fatigue caught up and injuries came along the way, but I am thankful I got through,” added the 21-year-old.

To avoid a repeat of the same next season, Omala feels the just-concluded campaign has taught him valuable lessons which he hopes to apply in 2023-24.

“It needs a lot of work. I just need to work on how I can finish the league strongly because that is what made me not to pass the record,” he said.

Omala’s goals contributed greatly to Gor winning a record-extending 20th league title from a side that was largely young and inexperienced after the club was slapped with a transfer ban by FIFA.