Harambee Stars forward Benson Omala has escalated his contract dispute with Lebanese top-tier club Al Safa to FIFA, seeking a resolution that will allow him to re-sign officially for Gor Mahia.The 23-year-old striker has been sidelined from competitive football for eight months, having left Lebanon in September due to safety concerns.Follow Our WhatsApp Channel for More News!!!##NAJAVA_MECA_8823519##While he has been training with Gor Mahia since January, he remains ineligible to feature in the FKF Premier League because Al Safa has refused to facilitate the release of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC).Omala’s father, Peter Oluoch, confirmed that the matter is now with FIFA’s Dispute Resolution Chamber after Al Safa rejected formal requests to release his son.”His agent, Chris Oluoch, has been engaging the club, but they have refused to let him go,” Oluoch told Nation Sport.”They insist that he must honor his contract and complete the one-year agreement.”Harambee Stars drop three places in latest FIFA rankingsAccording to sources Omala terminated his contract with Al Safa in December due to unpaid wages and lack of playing opportunities.”I don’t understand why they are adamant,” Omala’s father added.”The security situation was beyond his control. The club is neither paying him nor allowing him to move on. Now that FIFA is involved, we hope for a favorable ruling so he can resume his career.”Omala signed with Al Safa on August 12, 2024, on a contract that tripled his Gor Mahia earnings.AFC Leopards issue detailed breakdown of Mashemeji Derby gate collectionHowever, he never played a single competitive game for the club, as the Lebanese Premier League was suspended on September 25 following Israel’s military strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.Having trained with Al Safa for only two weeks, he returned to Kenya due to safety concerns.Although the Lebanese Premier League resumed on January 25 after a ceasefire agreement, Omala chose not to return.##NAJAVA_MECA_8822984##Al Safa currently sits second in the 12-team league with 29 points from 11 matches.In the meantime, Omala continues to train with Gor Mahia as he awaits FIFA’s verdict. “I don’t see why they are clinging to him while they are not paying his salary,” his father remarked.
