The KPL Season kicked off to some shocking surprises with favourites like Gor Mahia slumping early in it’s title defence.
Mathare United and Western Stima became the surprise package with the two teams putting in some stellar performances that saw their respective managers nominated for the prestigious coach of the year award.
Who them emerged victorious?
Well, Western Stima’sPaul Ogai was named the December Fidelity Insurance coach of the month at Moi Stadium, Kisumu.
Ogai beat Mathare United’s Francis Kimanzi to the award. According to a poll conducted by the Sport Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) panel, Ogai got 14 votes with Kimanzi managing seven only.
During the month of December, Ogai guided Stima to three wins and a draw to go top level on 10 points with the Slum Boys who registered similar results but had a superior goal difference.
.@WesternStima_fc head coach, Paul Ogai edged #SPL leaders @MathareUtd boss in the race to be crowned the Fidelity Insurance Coach of the Month for December. Read more: https://t.co/XGVhgZm93X pic.twitter.com/Vo6bjo70sY
— SportPesa Premier League (@SPL_Kenya) February 5, 2019
“This is a big day for me, I did not know I would emerge a winner. I thank Western Stima for this and all the organisers and sponsors for this award,
“This is my first title therefore it’s a great day to me, it shows that I am in the right track despite being my first season in the KPL,” said an elated Ogai.
Coach Ogai begun the journey to bagging his first award in his coaching career with a 1-0 win over Posta Rangers at Afraha Stadium during their opening match of the 2018/19 season.
Stima then downed giants Tusker 1-0 in their second match of the season, before recording a 2-1 win over Kakamega Homeboyz in their third game. They later held Bandari to a 1-1 draw at Mbaraki Stadium in Mombasa in their last match of December.