Football
Akoth and Odhiambo Reveal Career Plans After Being Named 2023-2024 Season's MVPs
Attacking midfielders Austin Odhiambo and Lydia Akoth were named the 2023-2024 Football Kenya Federation Premier League and the Women's Premier League's Most Valuable Players (MVPs) respectively during an end-of-the-season awards gala held on Friday last week.
The two midfielders were feted in the colourful ceremony graced by Kenya's Prime Cabinet Secretary and football enthusiast Musalia Mudavadi.
The awards and recognition at such a stage were clearly a source of joy for the two midfielders who were outstanding in the season, helping their respective clubs win league titles.
Odhiambo helped Gor Mahia clinch their record-extending 21st league title while Akoth was instrumental in Kenya Police Bullets’ unbeaten season in the women’s league.
Behind the happiness, lies something bigger to, the duo who hopes to build on the motivation and scale to the next phase of their careers and inspire their clubs to new highs as well.
Award to Inspire Akoth to Bring More Glory to Police
When she got the invite to the gala, Akoth, was confident in claiming the individual award given the eight goals and a couple of assists she had managed in the season.
She beat her teammate and forward Rebecca Okwaro, and fast-rising Kibera Soccer Ladies forward Maximila Robi to the prestigious award.
It was a night to remember for the Police Bullets fraternity as their head coach Beldine Odemba was voted as the best in the season having led her charges to win the title unbeaten in what was their debut season.
Their social media manager was the second-best in the campaign with Okwaro also being the first runner up scorer after Vihiga Bullets striker Tumaini Waliaula.
Akoth says the individual award will motivate her to help Police bag more titles in the new season even as she hopes to retain the MVP.
"I was sure of winning it. I had a good season. This award will motivate me to win more team and individual awards," she told SportsBoom.com after the end of the awards ceremony.
Akoth Determined to Make Mark in Regional Showpiece
With Police Bullets set to contest for the available ticket to next season's CAF Champions League during the CECAFA Zonal qualifiers, Akoth can't wait for action to kick off.
Police are in A of the qualifiers alongside CBE of Ethiopia, Yei Joint of South Sudan, Warrior Queens of Zanzibar and Rayon Sports of Rwanda.
The qualifying tournament will be held in Ethiopia, between August 17 to September 4,with the winner securing the sole available ticket to the Champions League.
"Our preparations for the zonal qualifiers are going on well. These awards will fire us to achieve our dreams. We are going to Ethiopia to compete and not to participate," said Akoth, who is nicknamed Ozil.
Odhiambo Aims for Professional Football After Landing MVP award
While Akoth is fully focused on club duties, Odhiambo hopes the award will open doors to professional football.
Gor Mahia have been battling hard to keep the midfielder, who managed 12 goals and 13 assists in the season, in their books for an extra season given the interest he has generated from foreign clubs.
Odhiambo says playing football outside Africa remains his dream and will pursue it should the opportunity arise.
I want to play at the highest level. I want to go a step higher than this. I want to play outside Africa
Odhiambo
Just like Akoth, Odhiambo, who made his national team debut in June, made his way to the event sure of winning the top award.
"Words can't explain how I feel after winning this award. It shows that I have been doing the right things on the pitch. I have been working hard for it. I had a good season, and I honestly expected to win the MVP award," he added.
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