Alphonce Omija Reflects on His Unforgettable Harambee Stars Debut Marking Brighton’s Simon Adingra
Harambee Stars and Gor Mahia defender Alphonce Omija recently shared his thoughts on his debut for Kenya against Ivory Coast last June, a match that solidified his reputation as a reliable player in the national team.
After returning to Gor Mahia following a successful stint in Oman with Dhofar, where he won the King’s Cup, Omija surprised many with his composed performance against Ivory Coast. He successfully kept Brighton & Hove Albion winger Simon Adingra in check, preventing the dynamic player from creating any significant chances down the flank.
Omija’s impressive display earned him widespread praise, and he continued to perform well during the COSAFA Cup a few weeks later, linking up effectively with Rooney Onyango for the Emerging Stars in South Africa.
In a recent interview with Passion Sports, Omija reflected on the emotions surrounding his first call-up, during which he didn’t play, and the trust placed in him during the match against the reigning African champions. “I was initially brought in to play as a center back. I didn’t get any game time during the Malawi Four Nations tournament, but I knew my time would come,” Omija said.
“I kept questioning myself, wondering why the coach wasn’t selecting me.”
Before his debut, Omija admitted to having mixed feelings, especially when asked to play in an unconventional hybrid role, shifting between right center back and right back as the team alternated between a 4-4-2 out of possession and a 3-5-2 in possession.
“The opportunity finally came during the qualifiers. The coach could assign you anywhere. He played me at right back but advised me to keep it simple. He wasn’t expecting me to perform like Kyle Walker, but he knew I was capable.
“I wouldn’t say I was scared, but I was a bit nervous. I prayed for everything to go well. Even the players were questioning why Daniel Anyembe wasn’t playing right back and Ali at center back. But I felt good. I learned a lot. Most people didn’t expect me to perform well, but I surprised them. After the game, I received many messages praising my performance, even from those I thought didn’t support me.”
Omija credited Simba’s Duke Abuya for boosting his confidence in training before the match.
“Duke Abuya reassured me, saying that I would play well because I had shown it in training.”
Simon Adingra, known for his speed, verticality, and ability to take on opponents one-on-one, has been making waves both for his country and Brighton. For Omija to neutralize such a talent was an experience he will never forget. “I think I delivered what the coach wanted. The goal was to silence him defensively. He got past me a few times, but for the most part, I kept him quiet.”
While Omija can also play as a defensive midfielder, he feels most comfortable at center back and believes that position will lead to more opportunities in the future.
“I can’t say otherwise. My natural position is center back. I’ll keep working hard for more chances, especially in my preferred role.”
Looking ahead, Omija is optimistic about Kenya’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, believing that strong performances in the remaining games could make a difference. Kenya currently sits fourth in Group F with five points, five behind leaders Ivory Coast, with crucial matches scheduled for next season.
“The feelings after both games were different. The mood wasn’t good after we drew with Burundi because we expected to win. But after the Ivory Coast game, the spirits were high. That was a game we could have won if we took our chances.
“We still have a chance. We could even make the playoff if things go well. If we capitalize on our home games and other results go our way, anything is possible.”
