Spot-on Oktay wins February gong for stellar run

Gor Mahia coach Hasan Oktay has been named the Sports Journalist Association of Kenya(SJAK) Coach of the month for February.

In a vote undertaken by SJAK’S Football Committee, the Cypriot garnered 12 points to beat Bandari tactician Bernard Mwalala who came second with 8 points. Mwalala who was voted the second best tactician in January had guided Bandari to four wins and a draw in the month.

Despite being entangled in two tough CAF Confederations group stage matches in the month, Oktay guided the reigning champions to scoop four wins and a draw from the five Kenyan Premier League matches played where they conceded just a goal, beginning the fine run with a slim 1-0 win away to Vihiga United before silencing their traditional rivals AFC Leopards 2-0 in their subsequent match at the Moi Stadium, Kasarani.

The 17-time Kenyan champions also saw off a on-form Sofapaka 1-0 in their third match at Afraha Stadium but were held to a one-all-draw by Western Stima in their fourth encounter at Kasarani, before defying a numerical disadvantage to edge Tusker 1-0 at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos in the final match of the month.

Oktay becomes the third recipient of the  award in the ongoing  2018-2019 season after Western Stima’s Paul Ogai and Mathare United’s Francis Kimanzi feted in December and January respectively .