Monastir, Tunisia: In a captivating match on the evening of September 13, 2024, Alphonse Omija marked his debut for Etoile Sportive with a commendable performance, playing the full 90 minutes in a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Monastir in the Tunisian Ligue 1. The encounter took place at the Mustapha Ben Jannet Stadium, a venue buzzing with anticipation from local fans eager to support their team.
The home side, Monastir, opened the scoring just before the halftime break, in the 45th minute, when Raed Chikhaoui skillfully maneuvered through the defense to find the back of the net. This goal set the tone for the first half, as Monastir maintained their lead heading into the interval, leaving Etoile Sportive with a task ahead in the second half.
As the match progressed, Etoile Sportive gradually found their rhythm, displaying resilience and determination. The turning point came in the 83rd minute when Raki Aouani delivered a crucial equalizer for the visitors.
Aouani’s goal not only leveled the score but also ignited a surge of enthusiasm among his teammates and the travelling supporters, ensuring the match concluded in a tense 1-1 draw.
Following this result, ES Sahel placed themselves in a mid-table position, currently sitting in 9th place on the league standings with a record that includes 1 victory, 2 draws, and 2 losses in their campaign.
Omija, who made a name for himself as a right back during his time with Gor Mahia, joined Etoile Sportive on a two-year contract after impressing scouts with his performances in the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024.
His standout moment came during the quarter-finals against Madagascar, where he scored a stunning header that played a pivotal role in his team’s progression; the match ultimately ended in a tense penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw.
As a rising star in Kenyan football, Omija is considered part of an exciting new generation of talent, receiving guidance from Kenya’s head coach Benni MaCathy.
Under MaCathy’s leadership, there is a clear vision to foster and develop a competitive squad, to achieve significant success for the Harambee Stars in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations 2027, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
With players like Omija in the fold, hopes are high for the future of Kenyan football as they set their sights on making an impact on the continental stage.