The 2020/21 season concluded earlier this month with Tusker FC being crowned the champions after finishing the campaign with 65 points, three above second-placed KCB. The Awards Gala will be held tonight September 14, 2021 in Nairobi where outstanding performers in the concluded season are set to be feted. There will be a total of 12 award categories including the headline award of the season’s Most Valuable Player (MVP). Other categories include the Golden Glove, Defender of the Year, Best Midfielder, Golden Boot Winner, Young Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, and Fair play team of the season.
Among the coach Nominees is Tusker's Robert Matano who is a big favorite to win the award. Matano, nicknamed ‘The Lion’ led Tusker FC to their 12th Premier League title and the first since 2016. This was also Matano’s second title with Tusker having won in 2012 and was his third as a coach having won in 2009 with Sofapaka. The brewers managed to earn a ticket to represent Kenya in the CAF Champions League and managed to get a point in their opener match against Djibouti's Arta Solar 7. The bankers ended up finishing the season in second spot, their best ever placing in top flight football. Coach Zedekiah Otieno who masterminded the performance and success for the bankers is also named in the list of nominees.
The Referee of the Year, Assistant Referee of the Year, Team Manager of the Year, Digital Team of the Year, will also receive awards.
Awards:
Golden Glove nominees
James Saruni (Ulinzi Stars)
Steve Njunge (Nairobi City Stars)
Joseph Okoth (KCB FC)
Defender of the year nominees:
Eugene Asike (Tusker FC)
Nashon Alembi (KCB FC)
Bolton Omwenga (Nairobi City Stars)
David Kalama (Bidco United)
Johnstone Omurwa (Wazito FC)
Sylvester Owino (Kakamega Homeboyz)
Daniel Sakari (Kariobangi Sharks)
Midfielder of the year nominees:
Jackson Macharia (Tusker)
Kevin Kimani (Wazito)
Lawrence Juma (Sofapaka)
Shami Kibwana (Kakamega Homeboyz)
Jame Mazembe (Kariobangi Sharks)
Brian Ochieng (KCB)
Golden Boot nominees:
Elvis Rupia (AFC Leopards)
Eric Kapaito (Kariobangi Sharks)
Lawrence Juma (Sofapaka FC)
Yong player of the year nominees:
Henry Meja (Tusker FC)
Lewis Bandi (AFC Leopards)
Lawrence Luvanda (Vihiga United)
Frank Odhiambo (Gor Mahia)
Sylvester Owino (Kakamega Homeboyz)
Rodgers Ouma (Western Stima)
Ambrose Sifuna (Sofapaka)
Fair Play Award nominees:
Tusker FC
KCB FC
Kariobangi Sharks
Coach of the Year Nominees:
Andre Casa Mbungo (Bandari FC)
Zedekiah Otieno (KCB FC)
Patrick Aussems (AFC Leopards)
Robert Matano (Tusker FC)
William Muluya (Kariobangi Sharks)
Frank Ouna (Mathare United)
Most Valuable Player of the Year Nominees:
Henry Meja (Tusker FC)
Erick Kapaito (Kariobangi Sharks)
Eugene Asike (Tusker FC)
Lawrence Juma (Sofapaka FC)
Elvis Rupia (AFC Leopards)