Game Yetu's Kenyan Premier League awards for 2014 player of the year

TOM BWANA: Dani Sserunkuma (Gor Mahia). For his leading goals. A striker is supposed to score and he’s led the scoring charts.

ROBIN TOSKIN: Dani Sserunkuma (Gor Mahia). Has been the heart and soul of K’Ogalo weighing in with important goals and topping KPL goal scoring chart

BISMARCK MUTAHI: Anthony Ndolo Ekhalie (Sofapaka):
The Sofapaka utility player has been the revelation of the season. If there is a player that fits the description of a box to box midfielder in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL), it has to be Ndolo.

SAMMY KITULA: Gor Mahia’s Dan Sserunkuma. The diminutive striker has been the pillar behind K’Ogalo’s push in Premiership glory.

TONY ANELKA: Dan Sserunkuma (Gor Mahia): He has been outstanding for Gor Mahia all through the season doing what he does best – scoring goals and his total goals in the premier league matches tells it all.

RODGERS ESHITEMI: Danny Sserunkuma (Gor Mahia). With his eye on the goal, the diminutive dreadlocked Gor Mahia forward has once again played a key role in his side’s title campaign.

GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR:
TOM BWANA: Jerim Onyango (Gor Mahia). Has played more matches than any other goalkeeper in the league and has kept more clean sheets than the rest.

ROBIN TOSKIN: Jerim Onyango (Gor Mahia). He made mistakes but kept Gor Mahia in the game in matches the team could have easily lost besides keeping more clean sheets.

BISMARCK MUTAHI: James Saruni (Ulinzi Stars): The youngster has been just above others in a season where many goalkeepers have blown hot and cold. This KPL season has not been a good one for the shot stoppers but the four goals that Saruni has scored in both the KPL and Gotv gives him a slight edge over the rest.

SAMMY KITULA: James Saruni (Ulinzi Stars). The 29-year-old custodian is the reason behind the soldiers’ steady form in the league.

TONY ANELKA: Jerim Onyango – For one more time, my vote will go to the experienced Gor Mahia goalkeeper for his contribution in helping the team to perform well in a very tough season. Through his team leadership, he has been quite fantastic though having some lows in a few matches.

RODGERS ESHITEMI: Samuel Odhiambo (Tusker). Despite a few mistakes, Odhiambo has been a force to reckon with at Tusker this season and deserves the award.

DEFENDER OF THE YEAR:
TOM BWANA: Mohamed ‘Rio’ Hassan (Ulinzi Stars): Has maintained discipline in defence and been named man of the match in four matches this season.

ROBIN TOSKIN: Johnson Bagoole (Sofapaka): Is the epitome of calm at the centre of Sofapaka defence. Tactically apt and is the reason Sofapaka kept quiet the attacking talent of all the big five in the league.

BISMARCK MUTAHI: Felly Mulumba: The Sofapaka man has been immense and has not buckled under pressure especially matches involving big guns like Gor Mahia.

SAMMY KITULA: Godfrey Walusimbi (Gor Mahia). The Ugandan left fullback has an outstanding pace and was a good solution to Gor’s leak in the flanks.

TONY ANELKA: David Owino (Gor Mahia). For the second year running, David has been quite solid and a performer in many matches Gor Mahia played. Partnering with Haron Shakava in totally a different set up from last season, he showed he can perform with any player at the back and his role in the national team sums it up.

RODGERS ESHITEMI: Charles Odette (SOny Sugar). The experienced defender has rediscovered his old self since joining Sony Sugar from Bandari. His impressive display this season saw him earn a call-up to the national team Harambee Stars.

MIDFIELDER OF THE YEAR:

TOM BWANA: Ekaliana Ndolo (Sofapaka). Has stood out as a force in the Sofapaka midfield for a good part of the season and has scored a couple of goals as well.

ROBIN TOSKIN: Ekaliana Ndolo (Sofapaka): Beats Gor Mahia’s Godfrey Baba Kizito by number of assists and goals but importantly his ability to pop up in the box and nip that important goal.

BISMARCK MUTAHI: Godfrey Baba Kizito (Gor Mahia): The Ugandan has been dominant this season at the middle of the pack with his passing and tackling.

SAMMY KITULA: Ekaliani Ndolo- Sofapaka: Ndolo is the best holding midfielder Sofapaka could have wished for. He also has an eye for goal and has seven of them to show for it.

TONY ANELKA: Godfrey ‘Baba’ Kizito (Gor Mahia). In his debut season in Kenyan football, The Ugandan has shown why Gor Mahia went for his signature. Very solid, creative and combative, Kizito has helped sealed a hole in Gor’s midfield.

RODGERS ESHITEMI: Geoffrey Kizito (Gor MAhia). The Ugandan international is the rock upon which Gor Mahia midfield is built. With his ability to defend ruthlessly, dribble and support the attack, Kizito has been instrumental in K’Ogalo’s title campaign, scoring five goals.

NEW YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR

TOM BWANA: Timothy Otieno (Gor Mahia). Despite his tender age, he’s been mentally strong and has had a physical presence aerially and on the pace.

ROBIN TOSKIN: Timothy Otieno (Gor Mahia): Despite scoring only two goals, Otieno showed huge promise what with his pace, energy and courage to take on defenders.

BISMARCK MUTAHI: Timothy Otieno (Gor Mahia). The Gor Mahia player might have played only half a season for K’Ogalo, but for the time he has played he has shown maturity beyond his years.

SAMMY KITULA: Timothy Otieno (Gor Mahia). Without doubt, my vote goes to this young lad. Four years since he electrified crowds at City Stadium in the annual Copa Coca-Cola, there has been no turning back for Otieno. His young age notwithstanding, he has a bright future.

TONY ANELKA: Timothy Otieno (Gor Mahia). The striker has been  fantastic though not scoring many goals as would have been expected of him. His pace and skills are way above many strikers in the local league.

RODGERS ESHITEMI: Chrispinus Onyango (KCB). Although the youngster failed to get enough playing at KCB this campaign, he proved his scoring prowess in the few matches he played.

COACH OF THE YEAR

TOM BWANA: Sam Timbe (just because Frank Nuttal is ineligible for this).

ROBIN TOSKIN: Robert Matano (Ulinzi Stars): Dragged Ulinzi Stars from the lower reaches of the table, turned them into hungry lions to finish fourth when it looked all doom and gloom under Salim Ali’s reign.

BISMARCK MUTAHI: Sam Timbe (Sofapaka): The Ugandan has been able to steer Batoto ba Mungu through a very tough season and he has done that quietly. Ulinzi’s Robert Matano has run him close, but it is difficult to judge Matano as he was not with Ulinzi from the beginning of the season.

SAMMY KITULA: Sam Timbe (Sofapaka). The Ugandan tactician has guided Sofapaka through the season, while maintaining a steady growth compared to their third place finish in last year’s season.

TONY ANELKA: As much I am tempted to mention Gor Mahia coach Frank Nuttall, Sofapaka’s Sam Timbe will carry the day for his good leadership at Sofapaka which has had a good season in general.

RODGERS ESHITEMI: Sam Timbe (Sofapaka).  A strict disciplinarian, the former Uganda Cranes assistant coach, massively transformed Sofapaka fortunes to title contenders despite their financial challenges.

MOMENT OF THE SEASON

ROBIN TOSKIN: Referee Amos Ichingwa physically challenging Ulinzi Stars players at City Stadium after sending off Stephen Ocholla. Never seen that kind of thing from a referee!

BISMARCK MUTAHI: Referee Amos Wanjala awarding Gor Mahia two dubious penalties against City Stars at Nyayo National Stadium on October 4.

SAMMY KITULA: There were numerous that came by, but the best was watching as Sofapaka’s Burundian import Fiston Razak not only provide a man-of-the-match performance, but also scored twice as his side stunned Gor Mahia 3-2 in Machakos.

TONY ANELKA: What else will rank high if not the fielding of 12 players in a match like Kimanzi and his Tusker did?

RODGERS ESHITEMI: Tusker-Muhoroni match was abandoned due to a rare substitution confusion.