Harambee Stars head coach Engine Firat has come out to openly reveal the reason he has not been considering Gor Mahia striker Benson Omalla for national team duties.
Despite being among the top scorers in the FKF Premier League last season and currently leading the scorers’ chart with six goals, the 22-year-old Omalla has been overlooked for selection by the Turkish tactician since he last featured for Kenya in a friendly against Mauritius on June 23.
His decision not to name Omalla in his squad received heavy criticism from a section of local fans, who felt he deserved to play for the team alongside lead striker and captain Michael Olunga. Firat has explained his decision by saying Omalla can get into the national team if he changes his style of play to the international level.
“It is very simple I can explain this (why Omalla misses in my squad), in June he was with us and got a chance to play in Mauritius, the point is totally different, but I want to explain not only to him but I have to explain to all local players coming to the national team that they have to change their style of football to international level to deserve a place in my team,” Firat told Africa Top Sports.
“So what is expected in this position under this level of international football is different from what you are doing locally, in Kenya you can be a superstar, but I am not talking about Benson (Omalla) alone, but all the players from the local league.”
Firat went further to explain the areas Omalla needs to improve to stand a chance of being recalled to the team by saying: “For example what I expect from Benson, what I expect from a centre forward he must learn to play when he has a player from his back, he needs to control the ball, he needs to pass, he needs to dribble.
“So these are the points which I expect from him if he wants to come to the international level then he has to learn like Michael Olunga learnt, (he is a good finisher) but he has to change his style and if doesn’t do it then he will struggle to play internationally.”
Firat is due to name his squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers where Kenya is scheduled to kick off their Group F campaign with an away fixture against Gabon on November 16 before facing Seychelles four days later.