STARS ABROAD: Harambee Stars defender picks up first win in Tunisia
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Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 25.09.25. | 09:02
The former Gor Mahia centre back had previously made two starts for the Tunisian giants but failed to win any following a 1-1 draw against US Monastir and a 3-2 loss to JS Kairouan
It was third time lucky for Harambee Stars defender Alphonce Omija as he picked up his first victory with his Tunisian outfit Étoile Sportive du Sahel following their 2-0 win over AS Soliman.
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Omija’s Étoile Sportive du Sahel (ESS) were on the road against Soliman in the Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1 on Wednesday, 24 September, where they managed to record a comfortable victory.
The former Gor Mahia centre back had previously made two starts for the Tunisian giants but failed to win any following a 1-1 draw against US Monastir and a 3-2 loss to JS Kairouan.
ESS started the match on a high and got their reward in the fourth minute when Senegalese youngster Moussa Senghor found the back of the net from an assist by Oumar Bah of Mali.
The 2023 Tunisian champions got a major boost in the match six minutes later when Soliman’s Yacine El Kassah was red-carded for a dangerous foul, forcing his team to play with 10 men for over 80 minutes.
With only a one-goal deficit in the second half, Soliman kept pushing, especially on the counter attack and got a golden chance to draw level in the 62nd minute
However, Cameroonian new signing Patrick Mbarga Ngankou could not convert a penalty awarded to Soliman, giving ESS a lifeline.
Four minutes after surviving the scare, ESS took advantage of their own opportunity as 21-year-old Raki Aouani doubled the Sahel-based club's advantage.
The rest of the match did not see either side score, and in the end, ESS managed to secure their second victory in the league this season.
The win took ESS’s point tally to eight after seven matches and elevated them to 11th position in the 16-team table.
Omija, who clocked full minutes, will also delight in helping the team to record its first clean sheet since his arrival from Gor Mahia.
The Kenya international moved to ESS on Wednesday, 10 September, following an impressive performance in the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) that took place in August.
The 22-year-old was a constant figure at the heart of Harambee Stars’ defense, partnering with Sylvester Owino.
