Bandi crowned MVP at AFC Leopards Player Awards Gala

Players hold their prizes at the 2025 AFC Leopards end of season player awards Gala ceremony held in Bungoma County. [AFC Leopards]

Kenyan international Lewis Bandi stole the show at the 2025 AFC Leopards end of season player awards Gala ceremony held in Bungoma County.

The defender won the Most Valuable Player (MVP), and the Best Defender at the awards gala night organized by the U45 Unit Branch for the second time in a row.

The AFC Leopards youth team graduate shrugged off strong competition from midfielder Mousa Oundo and goalkeeper Levis Opiyo who took up the first and second runners-up positions respectively.

He was however not physically present to collect his trophy and Ksh. 100,000 for MVP and Ksh. 40,000 for best defender due to involvement with the national team which is preparing for the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN) which Kenya is co-hosting and kicks off on August 2 at the Kasarani Stadium.

“I am a very proud person tonight to see that one of the players I worked with and graduated from the youth team has been named the best player from the concluded season,” said Club Chairman Boniface Ambani who was one of high level dignitaries who graced the second edition of the awards gala.

Other big winners on the night was Ronald Sichenje who won the Best Attacker, and Oundo who clinched the Best Midfielder, beating Boniface Munyendo and Kelly Madada. Munyendo however didn’t leave empty handed as he was the Fan’s Player of the Season.

Randy Bakari edged out Sichenje for the Players’ Player of the Season while Ovella Ochieng’s stunning strike against KCB unanimously gave him the Goal of the Season Award at the expense of Victor Omune’s goal against Kakamega Homeboyz.

The highly anticipated Branch of the Year went to Embakasi South Branch, fending off the Executive Branch who were last year’s winners.

“We congratulate all the winners for a job well done, but more importantly, our fans from across the country and beyond. This club exists because of them and we believe we’re putting the bricks together to take Ingwe back to its glory days,” said Olympia Musonye, the U45 Unit Branch Chairman.

“We thank the Bungoma people for receiving us with warmth and for everyone who contributed in one way or the other. There is more to come from us and the team so watch this space,” Musonye added.

The event was graced by fans, players, club legends and leaders from the wider Western region including host Governor Ken Lusaka, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, MP Didmus Baraza, among others, all pledging ongoing financial and material support to the team.

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1.Lewis Bandi

2.Mouso Oundo

3.Levis Opiyo

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1.Musa Oundo

2.Boniface Munyendo

3.Kelly Madada

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1.Lewis Bandi

2.Kennedy Owino

3.Randy Bakari

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1.Bonface Munyendo

2.Cliff Miheso

3.Victor Omune

???????’ Player of the Season*

1.Randy Bakari

2.Ronald Sichenje

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Ovella Ochieng vs KCB

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1.Ronald Sichenje

2.Victor Omune

3.Victor Otieno

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Collins Kasembeli – Bungoma Branch

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Moureen

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1.Embakasi South Branch

2.Excecutive Branch

3.Bungoma Branch