“I’m happy to have been deemed best player in September and i want to keep working hard and smart to be among the best.” Said Keboi who is looking up to return to the national football team.PHOTO/SJAK
NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 11 – Western Stima forward Wesley Kemboi has been named the SportPesa/ Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) Player of the Month for September in the Kenyan Premier League.
In a less busy month that only saw them play two matches, Kemboi had a perfect record, scoring wining goals in Stima’s 1-0 win against Nairobi City Stars and AFC Leopards to help his side climb third on the log.
Kemboi, who collected 18 points from the seven votes, won the monthly gong ahead of Gor Mahia striker George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo who got 11 points while Tusker FC’s Allan Wanga was third having managed to garner seven points.
Odhiambo was the closest challenger having scored two goals in September where Gor played three matches thanks to the game in hand against Ulinzi Stars.
In the initial list Stima had two nominees in fast rising midfielder Kenneth Muguna and defender Joash Onyango, an indication that the Kisumu based team dominated the month.
Speaking after receiving the award at the team’s training ground Moi Kisumu Stadium, Kemboi said the award will inspire him to work even harder in the remaining five matches.
“I’m happy to have been named best player in September and I want to keep working hard and smart to be among the best. I do not want to state my desire by mere words. My work on the pitch should speak for me and catch the eyes of current technical bench,” the 29-year-old said as he looks forward to return to the national team, Harambee Stars.
The award came along wish Ksh 100,000 for the player and a trophy while the team was awarded Ksh 50,000.
“If I continue scoring and playing well, I’m sure there will be space for me in the national team. We are also in a good position where everybody has to look at us and it is encouraging that a number of players from the squad have had call-ups to recent national team training camps,” he added.
It was a good month for Stima with the award coming just a week after their head coach Henry Omino scooped the September Fidelity Insurance Coach of the Month accolade.
The award that returned to Stima after Muguna claimed it in August, came along wish Ksh 100,000 and a 43-inch LG smart television for the player while the team was awarded Ksh 50,000.
Omino hailed Kemboi’s influence in the dressing room saying his guidance has helped younger players joining the team.
“When you have experienced players like Kemboi and a number of young ones coming into the team, his guidance is vital as the new and younger ones look up to him. He’s been immense, he has a great attitude and discipline which others emulate and he’s among the most prolific forwards we have in the country,” Omino stated.
Stima will make a final charge in pursue for their first ever KPL title with tough fixtures against Gor, Ulinzi Stars, Chemelil Sugar, Bandari and Kakamega Homeboyz awaiting them.
The selection was done by the SJAK Football Commission that comprises of football writers from various media houses.
