Is Serunkuma the new Zola of East Africa?

There seems to be a 'Zola' of just about every geographical region of the globe these days and in the Eastern region of Africa it is 2012 KPL Player of the Year, Dan Serunkuma, who scored an amazing 17 goals this season.

The 19-year-old plays for Gor Mahia in Kenya, having arrived in the summer of 2012 from City Stars .

In lighting up the Gor Mahia team, he has now gained the nickname 'Zola' of East Africa and, in his case, it is not rocket science to understand how the comparison has been made.

Serunkuma's physical statue and the position he plays certainly reminds us of the Italian. He is no luxury player; he works extremely hard. His speed, skill and creative play are some of the most salient features of Serenkuma's style. In midfield he is always looking to get involved and many of his teams better moves pass through him.

In attack, he shows good positional sense and is a tremendous opportunist striker. He has a powerful and accurate shot and can create goal scoring positions from the slightest of half-chances. He is also seen playing out towards the flanks, where he takes the mantle of a remarkably fast, hungry winger, who likes to take the ball to defenders from the right and left side of the attack.

From this position his pace can take him past full-backs into dangerous positions where he can cross for a teammate or cut inside and go for goal himself. Serunkuma is an excellent athlete with great balance that allows him to stay on the ball under intense pressure. 'It could be because of my size that I can balance so well ', the player admits, but it is his skills on the ball that really sets him apart.

Should this bright footballer's form continue, it's likely that Serunkuma will arrive in Europe sooner rather than later. Can he become a tree that forms a forest for the Uganda Cranes or Kenya's Harambee Stars? Well, one thing is certain - this humble player has a great future ahead of him.