Cash trapped Omax acquired by Congo Boys

Football Kenya Federation Division One side Omax FC have merged with FKF Coast Regional League outfit Congo Boys months after earning promotion to the third tier.

Omax emerged as the runners-up of FKF Division Two Northern Zone promotion playoffs held in Mombasa, in August thus booking a slot in Division One.

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The club however struggled with the financial demands that come with the third-division league thus seeking a buyout to cushion the tough monetary turmoil.

In the merger with the former Kenya Premier League side, the club will use Serani Sports Complex for their home matches in a bid to ease the burden of paying for venue charges.

Affirming the development Congo chairperson Alamin Ahmed Abdallah said they will take over all of Omax’s operations, including paying players allowances and offering transport, among other functions.

"Running a football team in Kenya has been very difficult. We had a meeting with Omax FC officials and saw the merger as the only feasible thing that would stop them from going under," offered the lcub boss.

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Congo was relegated to the fourth tier in 2021 from the third division but the club boss is buoyant in adopting Omax space will enhance their chances of climbing up the football ladder as he terms them a top-flight team.

"It was a big challenge for Omax FC since Division I expenses are very high. We were worried Mombasa would lose the opportunity to have representation in the division. That's why we decided to take them in as a plan for the future," he added

Despite the merger, Congo will wait until midseason to have the name change approved by the Football Kenya Federation.

However, Omax team manager Osama Mohammed was quick to refute buyout claims terming the move as a sponsorship deal aimed at salvaging the club from the pans of financial turmoil that will ensure the team's continued existence.

"We hoped to secure a sponsor after our promotion to Division One and despite approaching various leaders and cooperates it was proving tough and It is very expensive to sustain a club in the third tier.”

"We saw it better to hand over the team to our brothers rather than giving that chance to outsiders, a move that would have denied local players the chance to play in the elite leagues." Offered the outgoing club boss.

Under the new dispensation, Juma Kalato will retain his position as head coach, with former Bandari FC assistant coach Daniel Lenjo included on the technical bench.

So far, Omax have won one game, drawn three, and lost one match in the FKF Division One League a performance that places them ninth on six points.