Nzoia Sugar striker Elvis Rupia receives his April SportPesa/SJAK player of the month award at the club’s training ground. PHOTO/Courtesy
NAIROBI, Kenya, May 29- Kenyan Premier League (KPL) top scorer Elvis Rupia has beaten the Zoo Kericho dynamic duo of Mike Madoya and Nicholas Kipkurui to scoop April’s SportPesa/Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) player of the month gong.
Rupia who banged home his 12th goal of the season on Sunday as Nzoia ran riot beating Wazito FC 3-0 in Nairobi hit the back of the net four times in the month of April and found favor with the SJAK football commission who voted him over the Kericho duo.
“I’m very happy to be honored for what I do on the pitch and hopefully this will spur greater effort from me. I could not have achieved this without the support of my teammates and club officials so I dedicate this to them as well.” Rupia said after being feted in the club’s Sudi stomping grounds
Nzoia Sugar striker Elvis Rupia celebrates his goal against Wazito FC on Sunday May 27, 2018 at the Camp Toyoyo ground in Nairobi. PHOTO/Timothy Olobulu
The forward managed to earn 19 points off the final vote tally, beating Kipkurui who managed 17 while Madoya picked 15 points. Vihiga United’s Chris Masinza finished fourth with nine points.
Madoya and Kipkurui also scored four goals while Vihiga’s Masinza scored three.
After his goal against Wazito on Sunday, his head coach Bernard Mwalala was full of praise for the striker but urged him to stay grounded.
“It is very good for him to hit such kind of form and I am proud of him. But he should not let it get into his head. He should continue working hard and working for the team, not him individually,” Mwalala said.
Rupia has meanwhile said he will not be leaving the club despite suitors flocking his door, noting that he wants to complete the season in Bungoma with an eye cast on the golden boot.
“I’ve received many offers from rival premier league clubs but I would like to stay and see off the season here. I do not want to break the rhythm I’ve gained here because moving to another club mid season can really unsettle a player,” he said.
