Gor Mahia forward Timothy Otieno who is currently on a year long loan spell at Posta Rangers on Wednesday 30 scooped the Sportpesa Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) player of the month award for February.

Timothy becomes the first recipient of the Kshs 100,000 cash reward for the new 2016 season. On top of the cash money, he walked home with 42” Smart TV from co-sponsor LG and a glittering gong engraved with his name.

The former Talanta FC forward received 26 points from the panelists to ward off stiff competition from the leading Sportpesa Premier League top scorer Wycliffe Ochomo of Muhoroni Youth who tied at second place on 25 points with AFC Leopards’ Andrew Tololwa.

It is in the month of February which saw the youngster burst into the limelight for his predatory tendencies in front of goal. He set off the newly promoted side on the right bath with a brace against Muhoroni youth before grabbing a point in a 1-1 draw versus Western Stima.

His exploits earned him a national team call up under the new Coach Stanley Okumbi, but he didn’t make the final cut in the two legged AFCON 2017 qualifiers against Guinea Bissau.

“Timo” had this to say, “This awards affirms that I have been improving in my game and I want to keep delivering. I feel honored. It will spur me further and encourage other players within the team to strive for excellence,”

“I find enough play time at Posta so I know I have to justify my time on the pitch. My confidence has strengthened since joining this club and I hope to do better in the coming matches.”

The cash reward is a double increase from the last year’s amount, which is a vote of confidence from the main sponsor Sportpesa; and on top of the Kshs 100,000, they have added a further Kshs 50,000 to be shared among teammates.

“Step by step we want to the football standards to improve in Kenya from the players to stadiums so that we can reach our potential.” Sportpesa Chief marketer Kester Muhanji said.

The award seems to have worked further magic on Otieno who netted his fourth goal of the season in a 1-1 draw against Sony Sugar later on Wednesday.

@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