Mang'oli grateful to fans after scooping July award

AFC Leopards midfielder Bernard Mang'oli (left) celebrates with defender Jackson Saleh after scoring his second goal during their Kenyan Premier League match against Nairobi City Stars at the Nyayo National Stadium on July 19, 2015. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |

What you need to know:

  • The Kenyan international scored three goals in four matches and provided two assists as Leopards registered three wins in four games in July.

“It feels great to have won this award. The fact that I beat worthy opponents to win it makes it even better.”

Those are the words AFC Leopards midfielder Bernard Mang’oli triumphantly uttered after he received the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) Fans’ Player of the Month award for July on Monday.

The former JMJ Academy midfielder garnered 53 percent of the 10,102 votes cast to beat on-song Tusker forward Jesse Were, Mathare United defender Noah Abich, Muhoroni Youth’s Wyclife Ochomo and Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) striker Chrispinus Onyango to the award.

“I want to thank all the local football fans that voted for me and I promise I’ll continue working hard to ensure my club does well,” he said after receiving a personalised trophy and Sh10,000 cash reward.

The Kenyan international scored three goals in four matches and provided two assists as Leopards registered three wins in four games in July.

The fans’ poll award, conducted by football website Soka, was first won by Gor Mahia midfielder Ali Abondo in March before Jacob Keli, at AFC Leopards then, claimed the gong in May. He has since moved to Zambia’s Super League side Nkana FC. There was no winner for June as the league was on a recess.