Sofapaka’s Anthony Ndolo is player of the year
Sofapaka midfielder Antony Ndolo displays his trophy after being voted the 2014 KPL Player of the Year on November 19, 2014 night at Safari Park Hotel. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |
What you need to know:
- Mururi gets Best Coach’s trophy as Chemelil Sugar produce winners in three categories
- Ndolo also walked away with two glittering trophies and Sh250, 000 richer.
Sofapaka’s midfielder Anthony Ndolo might have been a peripheral figure at the club when the 2014 season began but on Wednesday night, he was the man of the moment when he was crowned KPL Player of the Year.
It was a night of double heroics for the soft-spoken midfielder who previously played for Sports Villa and later Kampala Capital City Authority in Uganda before crossing the border to engineer Sofapaka’s fine run this season.
Besides being feted as the season’s best player ahead of Geoffrey ‘Baba’ Kizito of Gor Mahia and Ulinzi Stars winger Stephen Waruru, Ndolo also topped the Midfielder of the Year category followed by Kizito and Tusker’s Brian Osumba.
Ndolo also walked away with two glittering trophies and Sh250, 000 richer. His heroics could be attributed to the free role that coach Sam Timbe gave him enabling him to provide assists to lethal forwards Abdul Fiston and Enock Agwanda.
Sofapaka forward Enock Agwanda (left) and Ulinzi striker Stephen Waruru display their Kenya Premier League Golden Boot second runners-up trophies during KPL awards gala at Safari Park Hotel on November 19, 2014. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
So overwhelmed was the 28-year-old by his own achievement that at one point he broke down on the podium as he fought back tears before finally composing himself.
“I dedicate this trophy (Best Player) to myself. It was a tough season. When I began nobody knew me and I want to thank the media for making it possible,” Ndolo said.
SURPRISE WINNER
“I am grateful to God and I thank Him for this award (Best Midfielder) which I dedicate to my late mother. She died when I was barely four years old and she is not here to witness this moment,” he added.
Bandari coach Twahir Muhiddin, who was a member of the nomination panel said of the player:
“He scored eight goals from a midfield position and its largely due to his contribution that the likes of (Enock) Agwanda, (Abdoul) Fiston and John Baraza shone. He had a great impact on the team and that is why we settled on him as the Best Player.”
Another surprise winner was Chemelil Sugar gaffer Mike Mururi who pipped Sofapaka tactician Sam Timbe to the Coach of the Year Award.
Meru Governor Peter Munya (left) hands over The Golden Gloves award to Chemelil Sugar custodian Jairus Adira on November 19, 2014 during Kenya Premier League gala at Safari Park Hotel. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Timbe guided Sofapaka to the GOtv Shield Cup title and a second place finish in the league while Mururi led Chemelil to fifth place on the log. Robert Matano was voted the third best coach.
THE WINNERS
Player of the Year: Anthony Ndolo (Sofapaka)
Golden Boot: Dan Sserunkuma (Gor)
Midfielder of the Year: Anthony Ndolo (Sofapaka)
Defender of the Year: David Owino (Gor)
Goalkeeper of the Year: Jairus Adira (Chemelil)
Coach of the Year: Mike Mururi (Chemelil)
Team Manager of the Year: William Muluya (Mathare)
New Young Player of the Year: Kennedy Owino (Nakuru AllStars)
Fair Play Player of the Year: Hamisi Mwinyi (Chemelil)
Fair Play Team of the Year: Muhoroni Youth
Most Improved Centre Referee: Peter Waweru
Most Improved Assistant referee: Steven Oduor
Chairman’s Award: Ronald Ngala (Gor Mahia)
