Madoya, Juma lead KPL Awards nominations

The 2017 SJAK Midfielder of the Year and Most Valuable Player nominee George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo has been snubbed by his peers and coaches for the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) end of year gala.

Odhiambo who starred in Gor Mahia’s KPL title charge, scoring five goals and assisting as many times, missed the final nominees shortlist for both categories ahead of the January 12 awards ceremony although he is in contention for the Fairplay Player of the Year.

Lawrence Juma (Nzoia Sugar FC) and Mike Madoya (Zoo Kericho FC) – both of whom Odhiambo beat in the December Awards – headline the Best Midfielder of the Year category that also has Humphrey Mieno (Tusker FC), Ezekiel Okare (Sofapaka FC) and Daniel Waweru (Ulinzi Stars).

Madoya, Zoo’s indispensable star who helped the KPL newcomers retain top flight status, and Juma of Nzoia earned a total three nominations having been selected for the Most Valuable Player of the Year and New Player of the Year categories.

Madoya and Juma appear on three categories having also been selected for the MVP and New Player of the Year categories.

Meddie Kagere, winner of the SJAK MVP award is once again odds on to scoop the top award having led from the front with his 14 league goals as Gor raced to a record 16th KPL title.

Goalkeepers Patrick Matasi (Posta Rangers) and John Oyemba (Kariobangi Sharks) complete the five-man shortlist for the presto award.

The nominations were done separately by the coaches and captains of the 18 Clubs which participated in the 2017 KPL season

The coaches and captains will meet again from 7:00AM at the KPL Headquarters on January 12 to conduct the final selection with the ceremony done later that evening.

SUMMARY

KPL AWARDS 2017

Defender of the Year

1. Jockins Atudo – Posta Rangers 2. Musa Mohamed – Gor Mahia 3. Nicholas Mejia – Nakumatt 4. Charles Momanyi – Kakamega Homeboyz 5. George Owino – Mathare United

Fair Play Player of the Year

1. Mike Madoya – Zoo 2. Meddie Kagere – Gor Mahia 3. George Odhiambo – Zoo 4. John Njoroge – Nakumatt 5. John Mwita – Chemelil Sugar

Fair Play Club of the Year

1. Western Stima 2. Sofapaka 3. Nzoia Sugar 4. Kakamega Homeboyz 5. AFC Leopards.

Best Midfielder of the Year

1. Mike Madoya – Zoo 2. Lawrence Juma – Nzoia Sugar 3. Humphrey Mieno – Tusker 4. Ezekiel Okare – Sofapaka 5. Daniel Waweru – Ulinzi

New Player of the Year

1. Mike Madoya – Zoo 2. Nicholas Kipkirui – Zoo 3. Umaru Kasumi – Sofapaka 4. Lawrence Juma – Nzoia Sugar 5. Sven Yidah – Kariobangi Sharks

Golden Glove of the Year

1. Patrick Matasi – Posta Rangers 2. Oyemba – Kariobangi Sharks 3. David Juma – Kakamega Homeboyz 4. Mathias Kigonya – Sofapaka 5. Levis Opiyo – Mathare United

Team Manager of the year

1. Jolawi Obondo – Gor Mahia 2. Willis Waialua – Sofapaka 3. Christopher Ouma – Ulinzi 4. Vincent Okello – Mathare United 5. Evans Kadenge – Nzoia Sugar

Coach of the Year

1. Sammy Omolo – Posta Rangers 2. Sam Ssimbwa – Sofapaka 3. William Muluya – Kariobangi Sharks 4. Mike Mururi – Homeboyz 5. Bernard Mwalala – Nzoia Sugar

Center Referee of the Year

1. Raymond Onyango 2.Badr Yassin 3.Davies Omweno 4. Anthony Ogwayo 5. Peter Waweru

Assistant Referee of the Year

1. Caroline Kiles 2. Tony Kidiya 3. Gilbert Cheruiyot 4. Aden Marwa 5. Peter Sabatia