Kevin Omondi joined Gor Mahia as a backup goalkeeper, but he quickly established himself as the first-choice keeper. In his debut season with the club, following his transfer from Sofapaka last July, Omondi clinched both the Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) Golden Glove and the league title.
Omondi’s stellar performance saw him secure the Golden Glove with an impressive 19 clean sheets, six more than the second-placed Patrick Matasi, and with three games still remaining in the season.
Speaking to Mozzart Sport, Omondi expressed his joy at joining the elite list of goalkeepers who have achieved such a feat in Kenya’s top flight.
“I am so happy and proud of myself for this achievement,” Omondi said. “I am also thankful to my teammates and the whole team; together, we made this possible.”
After serving a suspension following his red card in the last Mashemeji Derby, Omondi is eager to add more clean sheets to his record.
“I am looking forward to adding some more clean sheets and seeing how far I can go because we still have a few games left,” he remarked.
At 27, Omondi wasn’t a regular starter at his previous club Sofapaka, where he vied for the number one spot with Simon Masaka. Masaka’s impressive performances last June earned him a call-up to the national team, making it tough for Omondi to get much-needed playing time.
Upon joining Gor Mahia, Omondi faced stiff competition from last season’s Golden Glove winner Gad Mathews and young talent Caleb Omondi. Mathews, however, was dealing with personal issues during the offseason, and his contract was nearing its end. Caleb Omondi, on the other hand, struggled with errors, especially during his shaky performance against Kakamega Homeboyz in the FKF Charity Shield cup.
This situation provided Kevin Omondi the opportunity to break into the first team, which he seized with determination.
“When I joined, I wasn’t sure I would be the first-choice goalkeeper, but from the moment I stepped onto the team, I focused on working hard and fighting for my place.”
Omondi also praised his fellow goalkeeper Caleb, acknowledging the healthy competition that pushed him to secure his position as the first choice.
“There is competition at Gor Mahia, and Caleb is a good goalkeeper. I was sure he would help the team. I thrive in competition, so I was never worried about losing my place. I kept working hard in training and left the rest to the gaffer.”
Looking ahead, Omondi aims to catch the attention of Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat, who has indicated that the door is open for anyone to impress and contribute to Kenya’s footballing ambitions.
