NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 19 – Gor Mahia midfielder Ernest Wendo was on Tuesday belatedly named the SportPesa/Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) Player of the Month for May.
Wendo steered K’Ogalo to three wins and one draw in May with an outstanding performance particularly in the Mashemeji Derby where Gor thrashed bitter rivals AFC Leopards 3-0 thanks to goals from Meddie Kagere, George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo and Timothy Otieno.
“I am so happy to be recognized after working so hard to be where I am. Playing at Gor Mahia makes one strong and the coaches and team-mates demand for better performance every game. I have to work hard and maintain the levels that won me this award and hopefully help my team win silverware.” An elated Wendo said after receiving the gong at their Camp Toyoyo training base.
Unbeaten in that month, Gor also picked wins from Nzoia Sugar (1-0), Chemelil Sugar 2-0 and drawing 1-1 with Thika United.
Ulinzi Stars talisman Stephen Waruru, Tusker FC veteran goal keeper Duncan Ochieng and Nakumatt FC forward Kepha Aswani joined Wendo in making the final shortlist.
Wendo emerged the winner with 23 votes cast by a seven member SJAK Football Commission panel to receive Sh100, 000, a 49-inch LG smart television and a trophy while Sh50, 000 was awarded to the team.
Tusker’s Ochieng was second with 20 votes, Aswani got 19 while Waruru garnered 18 votes.
Ochieng made it to the nominees list by keeping four clean sheets between the sticks for Tusker in that month while Waruru, winner of April gong scored thrice for th soldiers. Aswani on the other hand netted five times for Nakumatt including two match winners.
Through that sterling performance, Wendo, the unsung hero for the record15- time Kenyan Premier League champion earned a call-up to the national football team Harambee Stars.
Wendo’s exploits have seen Gor surge to league leadership with a healthy buffer of nine points. Coach Dylan Kerr is focused on leading the team to its 16th title and refuses to get carried away by the lead over Sofapaka.
“It is always about winning the next game and that is all I’m preparing my players for. We have three big matches beginning with Tusker this weekend and I have to tune them to only concentrate on one at a time else complacency may set in.” Kerr said.