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Ombija keen to seal National Super League golden boot gong

Monday, March 23rd, 2020 00:00 | By
Eric Ombija of Coast Stima (right) vies for the ball against an Administration Police defender during a past Betika National Super League match. Photo/PD/RODGERS NDEGWA

There have been suggestions that the 2019/20 Betika National Super League season could be brought to a premature end in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

If that comes to pass, then a number of players would walk away with individual awards besides the winner’s trophy that would go to current league leaders Nairobi City Stars.

One of the players who would walk away with an award is Coast Stima striker Eric Ombija who is currently the top scorer in the second tier league with 17 goals from 27 matches.

It has been a remarkable rise for the 25 year-old goal machine who had to abandon top flight football kick start his career in the lower league.

The Mombasa-born striker was snapped up by former Gor Mahia tactician Dylan Kerr for a season-long loan two years ago but his hopes of playing a starring role for the 18-time champions were not realised as he found himself playing bit-part roles at K’Ogalo.

“I did not play as many games as I would have wanted but the few minutes I had got were utilised. For me, it was about growth and therefore my only purpose at the time was excelling. 

“My biggest memories were in 2018 during the CECAFA Club Championships when I scored two goals and provided an assist in our two matches against AS Port of Djibouti and KMKM of Burundi.

I also featured in the GOtv Shield that season alongside substitute roles against Mathare United and the now defunct Sony Sugar,” says Ombija.

Realising he might not fulfill his potential fully by warming the bench at Gor, Ombija decided to join Coast Stima.

It was not easy settling in initially but after overcoming an early season injury, the lanky forward has found his best form. 

“I know I have to constantly work hard to get better. It has not been easy but slowly I am getting sharp and it helps when the Coach has confidence in you,” says Ombija.

With his goal scoring form, Ombija is naturally attracting the interest of the big boys and given he still harbours ambitions of playing in the Kenyan Premier League, he is not ruling out a move in future. 

“I would consider that when the season is done. I want to help my team go as far as possible,” he adds. 

His coach Paul Ogai is also full of praise for him, saying: “He is in a familiar environment and the management supports him. He wants to develop his game every day and he can only go far.”

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