Gor Mahia striker bags SJAK player of the year gong

Gor Mahia FC's Striker Meddie Kagere reacts after he was announced the most valuable player of the year award during the SJAK Awards in Nairobi on Dec 18, 2017. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Tears of joy rolled down Meddie Kagere’s cheeks when the Gor Mahia striker was named the Most Valuable Player during the inaugural Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) 2017 Footballer of the Year Gala awards at National Museum on Monday night.

Kagere was sensational in Gor’s brilliant run to their 16th record Kenyan Premier League title triumph, scoring 14 goals and providing four assists. The Ugandan-Rwanda born forward beat Gor teammate George Odhiambo and golden-boot winner Masoud Juma (Kariobangi Sharks-17 goals) to become the first foreigner to win the most Musa Mohamed prestigious individual award.

 “I would like to thank God for this recognition, because without Him, nothing could have happened. This award has come through hard work. Hard work pays but it pains,” said an emotional Kagere after picking his award from Sports Principal Secretary, Kirimi Kaberia.

While talking about his achievements with the club, Kagere applauded his teammates for support. He said:

 “But I didn’t do this alone, it was with the help of my teammates, the office, staff and fans. I would like to thank my teammates for their relentless support and advises. I saw it coming because I used to improve my playing situation and through that, I have achieved it. I am really excited.”

Inaugural SJAK Gala Awards Winners Nicholas Kipkirui Sofapaka’s Ugandan-born coach Sam Ssimbwa won the coach of the year trophy for transforming the team, who finished second behind champions Gor Mahia.

Kariobangi Sharks’ William Muluya and past winner Mike Mururi were first and second runner-ups respectively. Fresh from helping Kenya claim its seventh Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup, Masoud Juma won the golden boot award as his Sharks’ teammate John Oyemba was declared the best goalkeeper after keeping 16 clean sheets, one more than the John Oyiemba Corazon Aquinoe and SJAK’s Chris Mbaisi Gor Mahia’s duo of David Juma (Kakamega Meddie Homeboyz) and last year’s winner, Kagere and Patrick Matasi (Posta Rangers).

Harambee Stars (Cecafa) captain Standard] Musa Mohammed was named the best defender, beating last year’s winner Jockins Atudo and his Gor Mahia club-mate Godfrey Walusimbi. Gor Mahia’s George Odhiambo walked away with the midfielder of the year crown, while Nzoia Sugar’s Lawrence Juma was second and Zoo Kericho’s Michael Madoya third.

In the new young player of the year category, Zoo Kericho’s Nicholas Kipkirui saw off stiff competition from AFC Leopards youngster Vincent Oburu and Nzoia Sugar’s Brian Otieno to emerge victorious. Save for Kagere, who took home a 55-inch smart television courtesy of sponsors LG Electronics, other winners got 49-inch smart TV sets. First runner-ups got a fridge each and second runner-ups a microwave.

MVP Meddie Kagere – Winner (Gor Mahia) George Odhiambo-1st runner-up (Gor Mahia) Masoud Juma-2nd runner-up (Kariobangi Sharks) Golden Glove John Oyembo–Winner (Kariobangi Sharks) David Juma–1st runner-up (Kakamega Homeboyz) Patrick Matasi –2nd runner-up (Posta Rangers) Defender of the year Musa Mohammed –Winner (Gor Mahia) Jockins Atudo–1st runner-up (Posta Rangers) Godfrey Walusimbi –2nd runner-up (Gor Mahia) Midfielder of the year George Odhiambo –Winner (Gor Mahia) Lawrence Juma –1st runner-up (Nzoia Sugar) Michael Madoya –2nd runner-up (Zoo Kericho) Young Player New Nicholas Kipkirui –Winner (Zoo Kericho) Vincent Oburu –1st runner-up (AFC Leopards) Brian Otieno – 2nd runner-up (Nzoia Sugar) Golden Boot Masoud Juma –Winner (Kariobangi Sharks-17) Meddie Kagere –1st runner-up (Gor Mahia - 14) Kepha Aswani –Nakumatt FC-13 Jacques Tuyisenge –Gor Mahia-13 Stephen Waruru–Ulinzi Stars-13 President’s award Essie Akida