MAN OF THE MOMENT PAYS GLOWING TRIBUTE TO HIS MENTORS: Gor Mahia star striker, Olunga, showers praise on Matano for setting him on the path to chasing his dream

Gor mahia's Michael Olunga poses with models shortly after being crown the player of the year award during the 2015 SJAK/KPL awards ceremony at Safari Park Hotel on Dec. 9, 2015. [PHOTO/JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

Exactly two years ago, Gor Mahia talisman Michael Olunga did not know what football held for him.

He was a teenager at Upper Hill School trying to shuffle between books and the football pitch, trying to scrape off a career from both ends.

Then his step in the right direction popped up when he came across current Ulinzi Stars head coach Robert Matano, who was by then head coach of Tusker FC.

Matano, who spotted him when he was turning out for lower division side, Liberty Academy, did not hesitate to give Olunga a chance at Tusker in 2013.

At Tusker, Olunga had the first chance to taste the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) and from then it was forward ever for the lanky forward.

His great improvement and performance at Tusker caught the eye of former Thika United head coach John Kamau, who worked day and night to have him on loan at his side — a deal that materialised the following year.

Ironically, Olunga who was handed jersey number 9 at Thika scored nine goals for the side that season before theading to Gor Mahia for memorable season culminated in his crowning moment on Wednesday night.

Just like at Thika United, on-fire Olunga who was handed jersey number 19 at K’Ogalo raked in 19 goals for Gor Mahia in the league, apart from staging super performance, both at the club and at national team Harambee Stars.

His successive season at K’Ogalo led to his great coronation where he bagged the lucrative Footballer of the Year (Foya) Most Valuable Player (MVP) award that came with Sh1 million prize money.

The 2015 Foya was organised by KPL and Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK).

Golden Boot

In addition, Olunga emerged runner-up in the Golden Boot Award behind Tusker’s Jesse Were, who won the crown with 23 goals, including three successive hat-tricks during the season.

“Tonight I want to show my gratitude to coach Matano. He was the one who believed in me and gave me the chance for my first ever KPL match. I believe without him it would have taken me much longer, or never, to play in the top tier league,”Olunga said during his acceptance speech for the MVP crown.

“Also, credit goes to coach Kamau who gave me more playing time and a firm ground to compete. Thanks to coach Frank Nutall (Gor) for his total belief in me, which encouraged me to dig even further to bring out my talent and toss it to greater heights.”

Not forgetting Harambee Stars’ head coach Bobby Williamson, Olunga said the Scot gave him the chance to make his debut at the national team this year where he was able to score goals against Malawi, Cape Verde and Uganda.

“2015 has been a great year for me, but now I have too much pressure from offers that are coming left right and centre. I am trusting in the Almighty God to help me make the right choice,” he said.

Olunga also gave credit to his fellow team mates, family and the entire Gor Mahia green army fans whose unrelenting support contributed to his crowning moment.