Sony Sugar coach Odhiambo bags best coach award

Sony Sugar tactician Patrick Odhiambo was on Wednesday feted as the Kenyan Premier League Coach of the Month for July.

In a vote undertaken by footballer writers, the immediate former Chemelil Sugar head coach beat Bandari’s Bernard Mwalala to become just the second winner of the gong from the club since inception three years ago.

Sony Sugar collected the most points in July after beating Sofapaka, Nzoia Sugar and Mathare United but fell to AFC Leopards by a solitary goal. Bandari, on the other hand, played one match less in July winning two games and drawing one.

For his heroics, the tactician took home Sh 75,000 and a personalised trophy courtesy of sponsors Fidelity Insurance.

“I’m very thankful first of all to the almighty then to my players and team management for the good work that has culminated in this award,” he said after he was presented with his trophy. “It has taken a lot of hard work and sacrifice to reach here. When I took up this job it seemed impossible to revive the club. It was a huge risk but I was confident in my ability and moving from 18th to 8th on the table is testament.”

The tactician jumped ship from Chemelil mid season reinvigorating the 2006 champions from an alarming lull.

“I identified a weakness in the team and engaged everyone in addressing it. Leadership was lacking and I had to sign up one or two players to give the rest direction. Fortunately, everything went well and players responded positively,” Odhiambo noted.

Odhiambo is now aiming at winning the remaining league games, with a view of finishing high-up as possible.

“I’ve got phenomenal players likes Agwanda Enoch and the rest who have played key roles in our rise and hope we continue on our form,”he concluded.