Kenyan Premier League (KPL) reigning champions Gor Mahia has been shortlisted for the annual Sports personality of the Year Awards (SOYA) in the category of male team of the year.

K’Ogalo will face formidable opposition from other contenders in the segment, comprising; Kenya’s national football team, the Harambee Stars, national Hockey team, two rugby teams; national 15s side, the Simba’s and Kenya Cup Champions, Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB RFU).

The Coach Frank Nuttall charges managed to defend the league title for the third time in a row in a spectacular fashion – finishing the league unscathed; on top of the league crown, they also won the KPL Top 8 tournament and the DSTV Super Cup.

Under the Scottish, Gor also reached the finals of CECAFA Kageme Cup for the first time in 18 years – falling to eventual winners Azam FC of Tanzania.

KCB won two titles this year – the Kenya Cup which they bagged after eight years wait, beating Kabras Sugar 27-3 in March and the Impala Floodlight gong after dispatching defending champions and host Impala 26-16 in October.

The 15s side climbed to position 27 in the world ranking, their highest ever position, this despite losing their Africa title to Namibia.

Harambee Stars on the other hand produced a shocker in the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers beating Africa top four ranked Cape Verde 1-0 at home before crushing out 2-0 on the reverse tie. The giant kill saw them break into the top 100 in the world ranking at position 98.

The men’s national Hockey team bagged a bronze after beating Ghana 4-3 in the play-off in the 2016 Brazil Olympic Games Africa Qualifiers tournament in South Africa.

@bonfaceosano

Bonface Osano

African Football Writer contributing @Soka25east | Commentator; appeared on @MySoccerAfrica, @KweseSports, @ntvkenya, others | Keen follower of African Football. E-mail: bonfaceosano@gmail.com