Former Gor Mahia coach Hassan Oktay has been nominated for the second edition of the annual Sports Awards organized by Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) even after he dumped the reigning Kenyan Premier League champions.
Oktay who resigned from his post early this month will battle for the coveted award with the holder Robert Matano of Tusker as well as Benard Mwalala of Bandari.
William Muluya, who came second last year missed the cut.
Patrick Odhiambo, a former Sony Sugar tactician who has since joined K’Ogalo as the assistant coach, will also challenge for the best coach of the 2018/19 season.
Farouk Shikalo who moved to Yanga SC (Tanzania) from Bandari leads the list of nominees for the Golden Glove that also include his replacement Justin Ndikumana who featured for Sofapaka last season.
Shikhalo who won the same award at the KPL sponsored gala will be seeking to dethrone John Oyemba of Kariobangi Sharks.
A strong challenge is also expected in the Most valuable Player ) category that is headlined by Simba SC midfielder Francis Kahata (formerly with Gor Mahia), his K’Ogalo teammate Joash Onyango, Ugandan international and Zesco United forward Umaru Kasumba (formerly with Sofapaka), KPL Golden Boot winner Enosh Ochieng of Ulinzi Stars, his closest conversion challenger Allan Wanga of Kakamega Homeboyz and Boniface Muchiri of Tusker.
Rwandan international and former Gor Mahia striker and club’s top scorer Jacques Tuyisenge who moved to Pero Atletico (Angola) did not receive any nomination from SJAK panelists.
The final list of three in each category is set to be completed on Friday. The awards will be held on Monday 19th.
Golden Glove: Faruk Shikalo (Formely with Bandari), Justin Ndikumana (formerly with Sofapaka), Kevin Omondi (formerly with Sony Sugar), Samuel Odhiambo (Western Stima), Morgan Alube (Chemelil Sugar), Omar Adisa (KCB)
Defenders: Brian Otieno (Bandari), David Owino (Mathare United), Faina Jacobs (Sofapaka), Kelvin Wesonga (Sony Sugar), Joash Onyango (Gor Mahia), Harun Shakava (formerly with Gor Mahia)
Midfielders: Francis Kahata (formerly with Gor Mahia), Cliff Nyakea (formerly with Mathare United), Bonface Muchiri (Tusker), Danson Chatambe (formerly with Zoo Kericho), Whyvone Isuza (AFC Leopards) and Abdallah Hassan (Bandari)
New Young Player: David Majak (Tusker), Jackson Dwang (Nzoia Sugar) Moses Mudavadi (Bandari), Daniel Sakari (formerly with Kakamega Homeboyz) and Joshua Nyatini (formerly with Sony Sugar)
Most Valuable Player (MVP): Francis Kahata (formerly with Gor Mahia), Joash Onyango (Gor Mahia), Umaru Kasumba (formerly with Sofapaka), Enosh Ochieng (Ulinzi Stars), Allan Wanga (KK Homeboyz) and Boniface Muchiri (Tusker)
Coach of The Year: Hassan Oktay (formerly with Gor Mahia), John Baraza (Sofapaka), Patrick Odhiambo (formerly with Sony Sugar), Benard Mwalala (Bandari ), Robert Matano (Tusker) and Francis Kimanzi ( formerly with Mathare United).