Gor Mahia forward Jacques Tuyisenge beat competition from teammate Francis Kahata to emerge the SportPesa/LG/SJAK Player of the Month for June. The pollwas conducted by Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) football committee.
The Rwandese import, has scored five goals in the month as K’Ogalo won all their five matches on a trot. He was awarded Sh100 000, a trophy and a 49-inch LG TV courtesy of sponsors at Camp Toyoyo on Thursday.
“I’m so happy to have been recognized with this award. I have for a long time hoped to win it and it is great to finally get it. I dedicate it to my teammates who helped me achieve it,” Tuyisenge said.
Following another outstanding month that saw them pull clear of their closest challengers Sofapaka, the team got an extra Sh50,000 for their contribution to the player’s August exploits.
En route to winning the award, the 27-year-old scored a brace against Nzoia Sugar FC and a goal each against Wazito FC, Ulinzi Stars, Posta Rangers and the winner against SoNy Sugar. Gor Mahia collected maximum points in all these league matches
Tuyisenge also hopes to track the absent Elvis Rupia’s goal count and clinch the golden boot this year. He was a runner up for the gong last year and is the leading contender after Rupia’s departure to Zambia.
“I can win the golden boot this year. As a striker whenever I leave a football pitch without scoring it hurts me so I want keep scoring and exceed the current leader who is not playing here anymore,” he said. Following Meddie Kagere’s recent move to Simba in Tanzania, Tuyisenge has now taken over the goal scoring mantle from his departed countryman.
High flying Gor Mahia beat Posta Rangers 3-1 in a Sportpesa shield cup round of 16 match at Kasarani stadium on Wednesday evening. The win has kept their dreams of winning another title alive. The shield is one of the few trophies that has evaded them in recent times.
The team is now preparing for CAF CC return match against and out of sorts Yanga FC in Tanzania on Thursday that they will hope that, Tuyisenge, who limped off in the 2-1 win over rivals AFC Leopards in the Mashemeji derby last Sunday, will be fit to play.
Gor thrashed Yanga 4-0 in the first leg last week and they go to Tanzania knowing that repeating their heroics will be enough to guarantee a spot in the quarter finals of the lucrative Continental competition.
Their good performances this season has seen their players attract interest from other teams across the region and even globally. Play maker Kahata has been constantly linked with a move to Simba, who have already flexed their financial muscle in this transfer window and lured Kagere to Tanzania.
It is rumored that Kagere earns more than double the salary Gor offered him. He was also given a state of the art four-wheeler and an ultra modern house when he signed for the Tanzanian side.
Gor have a very busy schedule this season as they are expected to travel to England and face Premier League side Everton FC at the Goodison Park before the beginning of the EPL season.