'' 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.