Five years ago, Benson Olouch Ochieng, born and brought up in the Nyamasaria slums in Kisumu, was a 16-year-old playing for little known Manyatta United and a student at Kisumu Day High School.
Today, he is the talk of town in the world of football in Kenya, as he is the top scorer in the country’s top flight football league. He plays for Gor Mahia, one of the country’s most storied clubs.
His childhood nickname, Omalla, is now a household name in Kenya’s football circles, and he has so far been linked to clubs in South Africa.
Omalla, who supports Manchester United in the English Premier League and admires the Red Devil’s top striker Marcus Rashford, has a dream, “EPL is a big league. It is watched globally. It is a big platform that every player dreams of. If Victor Wanyama played in England, I believe I can also make it there.”
Omalla started at a club in his neighbourhood called Chipolopolo before joining Manyatta United, the team with which he enjoyed breakout success.
“I am from the slums wherethere are many vices. I decided that football will be the path that will open doors and change my life. I took football as my passion and career seriously. Football pays,” offers Omalla.
Manyatta United participated in Chapa Dimba na Safaricom football tournament, with Omalla playing in both full seasons of the competition, in 2018 and 2019. It washis exploits in the 2019 edition that saw him signing a contract with Kenyan Premier League (KPL) side Western Stima while still a secondary school student.
“It was a great feeling being scouted into KPL because there are players who have played in the lower leagues for long and has never gotten such an opportunity. It was through grabbing the opportunity through hard work that paid off. I feel great,” says Omalla.
In the first edition of Chapa Dimba Na Safaricom in 2018, Manyatta United lost in the regional semifinals to Ombok Red Devils. The disappointment from the painful loss was fueled into success in the second season with Manyatta United winning the Nyanza region finals and going on to be crowned the champions at the national finals played at the Kinoru Stadium in Meru County.
Omalla was the top scorer in the regional and national finals. Hewas named in the All-Star team that was rewarded a 10-day trip to Spain.
“It was my first time to go abroad, first time on a plane which was scary at first. Overall, Spain was a great experience as coaches with La Liga experience taught us great technical skills. And also showed us the value of professionalism like time-keeping,” recalls Omalla.
He would go on to sign with his dream club Gor Mahia, endure an unsuccessful six-month loan deal in Sweden before returning to enjoy phenomenal success this season with Gor Mahia. Sports website Goal.com has reported that Omalla is currently on the radar of various clubs abroad among them South African giants, Orlando Pirates.
The soft-spoken Omalla, who describes himself as a simple and friendly guy, loves ugali and fish and likes to swim and gym to unwind. The music he blasts on his headphones ahead of a game to get into the zone is afro-beat and reggae.
As the tournament that launched his career returns, Omalla knows just how it feels to be on that pitch looking to fulfill a dream.
Watch the video below to learn more.
