Michael Olunga wins 2015 KPL Player of the Year award

Gor Mahia striker Michael Olunga is the 2015 Kenyan Premier League Player of the Year.

The 21-year-old was the toast of Kenyan football after scooping the award on Wednesday night in a colourful gala at the Safari Park Hotel.

The Kenyan international has been in glittering form for Gor Mahia, scoring 19 league goals as K’Ogalo marched to an unprecedented 15th league title without tasting defeat.

Olunga beat teammate Karim Nizigiyimana, league top scorer Jesse Were, City Stars’ Gambian prodigy Ebrimma Sanneh and AFC Leopards midfielder Bernard Mang’oli to the coveted gong.

According to the organisers, Olunga won 100 percent of the votes cast during the final selection process, and he walked away with a Sh1 Million cash prize, a 43-inch flat screen television as well as a trophy.

“This has been an incredible season for me and my club. I never thought I would win this award but I kept giving my best in the last three seasons, and I am, very happy that I have finally managed to finish on top,” said the second year engineering student moments after receiving the trophy.

“Nobody told me for sure that I was the winner, but I was confident and very positive about it, that is why I had prepared the speech. I have received very many offers from foreign clubs but I know that I am still developing, and I hope that I will be able to excel in whatever career path that I choose,” he said in his written acceptance speech.

Olunga, who also picked up the runners up award in the top scorer’ category, was a hot favourite for this award based on his spectacular exploits for both club and country this season.

BRILLIANT BACKROOM STAFF

Olunga scored 19 goals for Gor Mahia in the 28 matches he turned up for the team, putting in a total of 2, 472 minutes for the league champions while picking up only one yellow card throughout.

In other categories, Gor Mahia tactician Frank Nuttall walked away with the Coach of the Year accolade, beating Bandari’s Twahir Muhiddin and Ulinzi Stars’ Robert Matano.

“It is not only me. I happen to have a very good technical team, Frank Ouna (assistant coach), Bobby Ogola (deputy coach) Mathew Ottamax (goalkeeping coach) and team manager Jolawi Obondo. These people have done a commendable job behind the scenes and I highly appreciate their support,” said the Scotsman.

Mathare United sensation Eric Johanna scooped the Midfielder of the Year award while Gor Mahia’s Burundian right-back Karim Nizigiyimana was named the best defender in 2015.

WINNERS

MVP: Michael Olunga

Coach of the Year

2nd runner up Twahir Muhiddin

1st runner up Robert Matano

Winner:  Frank Nuttall

Top Scorer

2nd runner up John Makwatta

1st runner up Michael Olunga

Winner Jesse Were

Golden Glove

2nd runner up Jairus Adira

1st runner up Farouk Shikhalo

Winner Boniface Oluoch

Defender of the Year

2nd runner up Geoffrey Kokoyo

1st runner up Musa Mohammed

Winner Karim Nizigiyimana

Midfielder of the Year

2nd runner up Bernard Mang'oli

1st runner up Khalid Aucho

Winner Eric Johanna

New young Player of the Year

2nd runner up Alphonse Ndonye

1st runner up Ebrimma Sanneh

Winner George Mandela

Team Manager of the Year

2nd runner up David Mwangi

1st runner up Neville Pudo

1st runner-up Jolawi Obondo

Winner Moses Nyalik

Fair Play team of the Year

2nd runner up Sony Sugar

1st runner up Mathare United

Winner Western Stima

Fair Play player of the Year

2nd runner up Alfred Onyango

1st runner up Vincent Nyaberi

Winner John Baraza

Team Manager of the Year

2nd runner up David Mwangi

1st runner up Neville Pudo

1st runner-up Jolawi Obondo

Winner Moses Nyalik

Most Improved Assistant Referee

2nd runner up Beth Wambui

1st runner up Judith Wamoro

Winner Stephen Adeya

Most Improved Centre Referee

2nd runner up Michael Iluve

1st runner up Judith Muhonja

Winner Raymond Onyango

KPL Chairman's Award

Phoebe Amuyunzu and Liz Muragu