'' BATOTO BA MUNGU'' TRIUMPH IN FOOTBALLER OF YEAR AWARDS (FOYA)

(Sofapaka's midfielder Antony Ndolo at the Nairobi Safari Park Hotel shortly after receiving his award in this year's FOYA awards gala)

Sofapaka’s machine Antony Ndolo outshined his closest contestants Geoffrey Kizito and Stephen Waruru   to bag in best player of the year and the midfielder of the year award in a Kenyan Premier League (KPL) Footballer of the Year Awards (FOYA) gala on Wendesday at Safari park hotel.

The Ugandan born club’s tactician Sam Timbe was the first runner up in the coach of the year category which was won by Chemill’s coach Muturi who led his team to 5^th position last season.

Sofapaka’s Felly Mulumba grabbed the second runner up defender of the year award twice in a raw after a spectacular performance last season.

The club’s prolific scorer Enoch Agwanda was the first runner up in the golden boots award which was won by Gor Mahia’s magic finisher Dan SSerunkuma who netted in 16 goals last season. The third place went to Ulinzi’s flying winger Stephen Waruru who saw the back of the net 11 times last season.

Hamisi Mwinyi from Chemilil F.C received the fair play player while John Njoroge from Sofapaka become second.

Gor Mahia’s custodian Jeremy Onyango failed to defend his golden gloves which went to the sugar millers Chemil’s  Jairus Adira.

The rocky defender David Owino ‘Calabar’ retained the defender of the year position for the second time in a raw after edging out Charles Ndeto of Sony F.C and Felly Mulumba from Sofapaka.

The Harambe stars call up Kennedy Owino brother to David Owino was named the young player of the year after easing out Kevin Omondi and Nicholus Kamau both from Nairobi City Stars F.C while the slum boys Mathare United’s team manager Willium Muluhya was accorded the team manager of the year award.

The lake region representatives Muhoroni Youth was the fair play team of the year as KPL relegated side Nakuru All Stars became second in the same category.

However the big spenders AFC Leopards failed to secure an award from the available categories after their poor performance last season.

In addition Tax collectors Ushuru F.C also failed to collect awards in this year’s FOYA awards after a series of complacentness during the second leg despite having a fabulous start in the first leg. 

Similarly the game controllers were not left empty handed as Peter Waweru and Stephen Oduor were named the most improved centre referee of the year and the most improved assistant referee of the year respectively.

The KPL Awards also known as FOYA awards is an award ceremony that is held at the end of  KPL season to honour association, football players, coaches, officials and journalist participating in the KPL. The nominees and winners for the awards are selected by the coaches from KPL clubs.

TUM F.C THRASH MAUA UNITED

(TUM FC players warming up at their home ground before their encounter with Maua United)

Technical University of Mombasa’s (TUM) ground was on Sunday filled to capacity as the visiting side Maua United were hammered three goals to nil by their host.

The visiting side started strongly by possessing the ball around and utilizing the TUM’s defensive lapses through counter attacks.

In as span of two minutes after kickoff the home team had been cautioned thrice. Maua’s striker Kevin Njau missed an open chance when he found himself on an one on one situation with TUM’s keeper Iddi when he fired a shot that went wide across the bar.

Iddi  was again called on action to save a powerful bicycle kick from Maua’s attacker Jared. The home team recollected themselves and started knocking the ball towards their opponents post. The deadlock was broken on the 18^th minute when TUM’s attacking midfielder Davis Shikala connected a volley to put the home team ahead.

 The fans took the advantage of the situation and cheered the home team to the top of their voices as they demanded for more action. The first half came to an end with the home team leading with one goal.

Second half became more entertaining with home team seeking to extend their lead and the away side trying to get an equalizer. In the 54^th minutes things turned from bad to worse for Maua when TUM’s striker Delvis Njue received a back hill from Robert Nasri and placed it at the top end of the post to make it two nil in favour of the scholars.

 TUM made double substitution by bringing in an electric defender Ernest Cornel for Brian Ochieng and Nichodemus Odipo for Joseph Mwaluda.

After two minutes in the field of play, Ernest ‘’Collo’’ made a sliding tackle to deny Maua’s winger Mwangi from advancing to the 18 yard box. TUM’s tactician changed his tactics and started employing long balls which bore fruits when the substitute Odipo headed in a one nine kick from the skipper Teddy to sink the game and make it three nil.

The game came to an end and TUM were awarded three points.

‘’That was a good performance from my players and am happy they played as per the instruction,’’ said TUM’s manager Yeboa.

However Maua’s manager Mwaura directed his disappointments to the weather, ‘’the weather was too hot for my players to bear. TUM had an added advantage because they are used to it,’’ he said.

TUM are still 4^th in the standings with 45 points.

 

SCHOLERS AWARDED WALKOVER

(Evans Otieno of TUM F.C (right) shields his ball away from Ahmed Razak of Brighter Star F.C during their first leg encounter. The scores ended on a one all draw.)

Technical University of Mombasa (TUM) Football Club (F.C) were on 8th November  awarded a walkover at TUM's ground after their opponent Brighter Star from Lamu failled to show up. 

The pre-match meeting for the match was held as per the regulation of Football Kenya Federation Act with the absence of the visiting side. Both the parties (the match officials and home team officials) present at the pre-match   meeting agreed that the match should kickoff at 1500 hours.

At kick off time the away team were no where to be seen and the referee rolled the ball as sign of walkover. The home team were then awarded three points with two goals.

TUM's walkover marked the third walkover that Brighter Star F.C has given to Police F.C, Green Berets F.C and TUM F.C respectively this season. Therefore they risk a chance of being relegated from Nationwide League as the law regulating football in Kenya clearly state that if a team gives out three walkovers in a season, it will automatically be demoted from the League. 

TUM F.C coach Joseph Sihuli expressed his disappointment for the turn of event, "A team like Brighter which gives out walkover easily should not be allowed to participate in this league. Through out the week I have prepared my players for a real match not a walkover, am sure we would have netted more than two goals that we have been awarded  if the match was played," he said.

Contrary to Sihuli's view, Kelly Mutonga who is the club's fun expressed his satisfaction, " It is good that we have been awarded effortless points."

This would have been the second time the two sides meets after a one all draw in the first leg at Lamu Stadium. TUM F.C is now placed 4th in the League Standing with 42 points.

The scholars are eying to finish the league on a high knot when they face Maua United from Meru in the next fort night.