Dhofar Sports, Cultural and Social Club fast-rising defender Alphonce Omija is reveling in joy after earning his first call-up to the national team ahead of the Four Nation Tournament in Malawi this month.The former national U17 and U20 team captain was among the seven players who were handed their maiden summons on Wednesday by head coach Engin Firat and he says he is proud to have won a call-up to the Harambee Stars.##NAJAVA_MECA_7951086##Omija who joined the Oman club early last year alongside former AFC Leopards winger Josephat Lopaga, has had a bright start to the year with Dhofar keeping four clean sheets in six matches, a performance he has capped with a goal, and is anticipated to bring a burst of fresh energy and technicality to the national team ahead of the build-up matches.The player who had trained with Gor Mahia before securing trials with the Asian country says making it to the provisional squad is a dream come true though marveled at the quick turn of events as he had projected making it to the national team in three years time.”This is a dream come true. I have been praying and working very hard for this and to be honest, I never thought it would come this soon, my projections were I would be in the team at around 2027,” he told Mozzart Sport.Alphonce Omija, a rising talent from the U17 team, earns his first national team callup, showcasing Kenya’s youth development prowess on the footballing stage. #HarambeeStars Four nations tournament pic.twitter.com/l29cSpZSkC— S. Darsil254 (@BigmanDarsil) March 13, 2024 He says hard work has shaped him as a player making significant progress at a personal level, and having made the cut, he will be fighting it all for the Harambee Stars.”I have just been working hard and made good progress at a personal level and I just wanted to make it to the National team in the near future. The prayers have been answered earlier than I thought and I’m just taking it all in now,” added the 2019/2020 Kenya Premier League winner with Gor Mahia.Having sealed a place with Firat’s charges, the defender who made 20 appearances for Kariobangi Sharks before leaving for Asia has set his sights on making a debut with the senior team after previous exploits in the junior categories.”I will make use of the opportunity and do my best. I’m very happy and looking forward to representing my beloved country. This is a very huge opportunity for me.”Kenya will kick off the tournament on 23rd March 2024 playing the hosts Malawi at Bingu National Stadium.President Ruto hosts AFC Leopards delegation at statehouseProvisional squadGoalkeepers: Ian Otieno (Zesco-Zambia), Patrick Matasi (Kenya Police), Byrne Odhiambo (Bandari), Bonphas Munyasa (Murang’a Seal)Defenders: Collins Sichenje (AIK-Sweden), Joseph Okumu (Reims-France), Johnstone Omurwa (Estrela-Portugal), Dennis Ng’ang’a (Zanaco Zambia), Daniel Anyembe (Viborg-Denmark), Amos Nondi (Ararat), Abud Omar (Kenya Police), Eric Ouma (Rakow-Poland)Midfielders: Alphonce Omija (Dhofar-Oman), Kaycie Odhiambo (AFC Leopards), Chris Erambo (Tusker), Richard Odada (Aalborg-Denmark), Anthony Akumu (Sagan Tosu), Kenneth Muguna (Kenya Police), David Sakwa (Bandari), Shariff Musa (Gor Mahia), Ayub Timbe (Sebail- Azerbaijan), Eric Johanna (UTA-Romania), Rooney Onyango (GOR Mahia)Forwards: John Avire (Sekka), Michael Olunga (Duhail-Qatar), Jonah Ayunga (ST. Mirren-Scotland), Benson Omalla (Gor Mahia)Marcelo out of Harambee Stars’ Four-Nation Tournament
