Harambee Stars Defender Reveals the Real Reason He Ditched Gor Mahia for Tunisian Giants

Harambee Stars Defender Reveals the Real Reason He Ditched Gor Mahia for Tunisian Giants

Harambee Stars Defender Reveals the Real Reason He Ditched Gor Mahia for Tunisian Giants

Abigael Wafula 13:51 - 27.09.2025

Alphonce Omija has revealed the special reason that pushed him to leave Gor Mahia for Tunisian giants Etoile du Sahel, marking a major step in his career.

After a stellar performance at the heart of Kenya's defence during their historic run to the 2024 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) quarterfinals, Alphonce Otieno Omija has secured a landmark move to Tunisian giants Étoile Sportive du Sahel.

Alphonce Omija's commanding displays, which began in the opening match against DR Congo at Moi Sports Centre Kasarani, cemented his place in the national team.

He was in consistent form throughout Harambee Stars’ CHAN 2024 campaign, and his role as a defensive linchpin for Gor Mahia could not go unnoticed. The combination caught the eye of the Tunisian powerhouse, making him the first Kenyan to play in the country's top flight.

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Étoile du Sahel, one of North Africa’s most successful clubs, offers Alphonce Omija a chance to test himself in one of the continent's most tactical and demanding leagues.

"So far, so good. It has been a really great experience, and I have learned a lot in the few games I have played. We have posted mixed results, but you can see this is a great team just starting the season. I have started in all the games and am delighted to have hit the ground running," Alphonce Omija said in an interview with Telecom Asia Sport.

Alphonce Omija Explains Why He Left Gor Mahia for Tunisian Giants Étoile du Sahel

Alphonce Omija Explains Why He Left Gor Mahia for Tunisian Giants Étoile du Sahel
Photo || Alphonce Omija - Facebook

The move to a club with such a rich history is a significant step for Alphonce Omija, who believes that any player would want that opportunity.

Étoile are regular contenders in both domestic and CAF competitions, a challenge the Harambee Stars defender is ready to embrace.

"Honestly, this feels great. It is a massive step for me in my career and a challenge that any player would wish to have. The opportunity to compete in a tough league attracted me here. As a player, I want to compete with the best," Alphonse Omija said.

"This is a club that has won both the Champions League and Confederation Cup, so their expectation is huge. The last time they won the Champions League was in 2007, and I want to try and leave my name in that kind of history. These are the moments we prayed for, and now the onus is on me to work hard and achieve everything."

Alphonce Omija Reveals Primary Target with Tunisian Club

Alphonce Omija Reveals Primary Target with Tunisian Club
Alphonce Omija Reveals Primary Target with Tunisian Club

His previous experience playing in Oman has also provided a valuable head start in adapting to life in North Africa. Alphonce Omija confirmed that there were many similarities in terms of culture, food, and language, noting that Tunisia leaned more towards French, though Arabic was still widely spoken.

The former Gor Mahia player believes his single season with the Kenyan giants was crucial in preparing him for the high-pressure environment at his new club, Tunisian powerhouse Etoile du Sahel.

"The target is definitely to be a champion with Étoile. We are competing in the Premier League, the Cup, and the CAF Confederation Cup. If we can be champions in one of them, I will have achieved a huge piece of my ambition," Alphonce Omija added.

"Playing at Gor for that one season really helped to shape me. It is a big club with a lot of demands, not just from the coaches and management but from the fans as well."

Alphonce Omija: CHAN Performance Key to Securing Move

Harambee Stars
Former Gor Mahia defender Alphonce Omija defender in training with Harambee Stars. Former Gor Mahia defender Alphonce Omija defender in training with Harambee Stars.

Alphonce Omija also credited his standout performances at the recent African Nations Championship (CHAN) as a major factor in securing the transfer.

He explained that from the first match to the last, he gave absolutely 100 per cent, and the tournament provided a big platform that allowed scouts from different teams to watch players.

The former Gor Mahia defender stressed that this had played a massive role in his move to Tunisia. He further highlighted the broader impact of Kenya hosting the tournament, noting that it had opened doors for many local players to advance their careers.

"Absolutely. I believe it opened Kenyan football to the outside world. The way the fans turned up in large numbers showed the world that Kenyan football is huge, and this translated to more attention on the players. You have seen some of us have already moved, like Ryan Ogam going to Austria, and many more will move in the coming window," Alphonce Omija opined.

Looking ahead, the new Etoile signing is confident that the move will elevate his game and boost his prospects with the national team.

His breakthrough came during the CHAN tournament, and though Kenya’s campaign ended in heartbreak, Alphonce Omija's crucial header goal against Madagascar in the quarterfinals was a standout moment.