Alphonce Omija put in the man-of-the-match performance and pocketed Simon Adingra, one of the most lethal wingers on the continent at the moment, on his senior Harambee Stars debut yesterday. The budding defender was a surprise inclusion into the starting lineup when Stars hosted African champions Ivory Coast, in a 2026 World Cup qualifier, on Tuesday at the Bingu National Stadium in Malawi.Coach Engin Firat was expected to stick to his experienced guns, and embrace a defensive approach, considering the quality of players the Kenyan team was up against but, the Turkish gaffer had other plans.##NAJAVA_MECA_8154672##Firat tasked Omija to put Adingra on check in what was his first-ever appearance for the senior national team and the defender didn’t disappoint.Adingra, who tormented revered defenders during the past edition of the Africa Cup of Nations and does so in the English Premier League for fun, was expected to toy around with his markers and cause all manner of problems to the Kenyan defence.That didn’t happen thanks to Omija and the support he received from Rooney Onyango, who occasionally dropped whenever the Elephants invaded the Kenyan area.WCQ26: Engin Firat proud of Harambee Stars’ performance in Ivory Coast stalemateSave from two successful off-the-shoulder runs, Adingra was best seen whipping corners summing up how well Firat had done his homework and set up the defence.Reacting to his full debut and the opportunity to face the best team in the continent, Omija, as expected, couldn’t have asked for a better introduction to national team duties.“It was a good experience and a moment to remember, “ he briefly told Mozzart Sport.Firat however was not surprised with Omija’s performance. “I am the one who called him to the National team and I therefore know his potential. I am giving these boys opportunities and they just need to step up whenever called upon,” He said. PLAYER RATINGS: Olunga fires blanks as Harambee Stars hold African Champions Ivory CoastThe Dhofar Club defender secured his first call-up in March ahead of the Four Nations tournament held in Malawi.The former national U17-team captain was however not used in the two matches Stars played against the host in the semis and Zimbabwe in the final.Omija, who primarily plays as a central defender, will certainly be pleased with his progress in the national teams set up having previously featured for the U17, U20, and U23 and now the senior team.
