Kenneth Muguna, Western Stima’s midfield prodigy ended his otherwise superb debut season in the Kenyan Premier League on a high, after being named the 2016 player of the year.
The youngster not only walked home with the biggest award of the day that carried with it the weight of Sh1million but was also named midfielder of the year as well as the second runner up in the new player of the year category.
In total, the 20-year old walked home with Sh1.6million and two sets of 43-inch LG televisions. Clad in a simple black suit complete with a white shirt, Muguna was almost reduced to tears on the stage as he savored his moment of glory, at some moment mixed with disbelief.
“I don’t even know what to say. I am overjoyed,” the otherwise shy midfielder, referred to as ‘Junior’ by his peers said. He may now no longer be ‘Junior’ after his exploits and knows the expectations on his shoulder heading into next season.
Muguna understands the history that comes with the yearly award. Most of the players who pick up the top gong end up struggling in the next season.
“I don’t believe in that. For me, it is all about hard work and I will give my all next season, wherever I will be playing my football. This is a challenge to work harder and the best of me is yet to be seen,” Muguna told Sports News Arena on the sidelines after picking his accolade.
The soft spoken Kisumu-bred midfielder took the gong ahead of golden boot winner John Mark Makwatta and Tusker FC’s goalkeeper David Okello.
The final vote was done by team captains, coaches and members of the Sports Journalists Association football commission with Muguna picking the highest number of votes.
Awards supplement hard work
In the midfield category, he beat the experienced Humphrey Mieno from Tusker FC who finished third while Mathare United’s Whyvonne Isuza was the runner up.
“It is an honor because this is the first ever time I have been nominated and I ended up getting the number two prize. As an individual and a team, we have worked very hard this season and achieved our targets. I wanted to do well for the team and this awards comes as a supplement to the hard work,” Isuza said of his award.
Patrick Matasi of Posta Rangers was named the goalkeeper of the year, dethroning Boniface Oluoch of Gor Mahia who came in second while Tusker’s Okello was third.
Matasi who started the season playing second fiddle to Ian Otieno had the most clean-sheets in the entire season.
“Even when I was on the bench, I always knew my time would come. When I got the opportunity, I took it with both hands and I am glad to have won this award. Coach Zico (Zedekiah Otieno) and team manager Pascal (Ochieng) have really pushed me because they were always reminding me that a good goalkeeper is judged by the number of clean-sheets they keep,” Matasi said.
Posta’s mean backline which only conceded 15 goals, the second lowest number in the league was rewarded as well with the defender of the year award.
Atudo commanded the backline
Jockins Atudo who joined the mailmen after being released by Tusker FC commanded the backline and his stewardship earned him the best defender award.
He beat Musa Mohammed, the Gor Mahia skipper who finished runner up for the second season in a row and Noah Abich of Sofapaka who came in third.
Tusker’s double title winner Paul Nkata was named coach of the year ahead of Jose Marcelo Ferreira of Gor Mahia and Chemelil’s Francis Baraza who finished second and third respectively.
The Ugandan who joined the brewers at the beginning of the season capped an otherwise historic year for himself as he had never won a league title in his career as head coach.
He paid tribute to his former assistant coach George Owoko who he credited for bringing him to Kenya. He first coached City Stars before moving to Muhoroni Youth in June last season.
“My players have done a superb job as well as the other members of my technical bench. I would not have done it without them,” Nkata added.
Awards breakdown
Most Valuable Player: Kenneth Muguna (Western Stima).
Golden Glove: Patrick Matasi (Posta Rangers), Boniface Oluoch (Gor Mahia), David Okelo (Tusker).
Defender of the year: Jockins Atudo (Posta Rangers), Musa Mohamed (Gor Mahia), Noah Abich (Sofapaka).
Midfielder of the year: Kenneth Muguna (Western Stima), Whyvonne Isuza (Mathare United), Humphrey Mieno (Tusker).
Fair-play player of the year: Ali Bai (Kakamega Homeboyz), Jared Obwoge (Chemelil), Amos Asembeka (Sony Sugar).
New player of the year: Eric Ouma (Gor Mahia), Kenneth Muguna (Western Stima), Cavin Odongo (Posta Rangers).
Coach of the year: Paul Nkata (Tusker), Jose Marcelo Ferreira (Gor Mahia), Francis Baraza (Chemelil Sugar).
Golden Boot: John Makwata (Ulinzi Stars), Kepha Aswani (AFC Leopards), Wycliffe Ochomo (Muhoroni Youth).
Team manager of the year: George Opondo (Tusker), David Mwangi (Ulinzi Stars), Pascal Ochieng (Posta Rangers).
Fairplay team of the year: Kakamega Homeboyz, Mathare United, Western Stima.
Assistant Referee of the year: Gilbert Cheruiyot, Stephen Oduor, Mary Ann Njoroge.
Referee of the year: Anthony Ogwayo, Davies Omweno, Badir Yassin.
Sports News Arena