Jockins Atudo wins Tusker MVP award
by Fred Maingi 02 February 2012, 08:16
It was pomp and colour as Tusker FC battle-hardened defender
Jockins Atudo was voted the club’s overall best player for the just
ended Kenya Premier League (KPL) soccer season.
Atudo was among several key players feted by the club sponsors
East Africa Breweries Limited (EABL) during the team’s luncheon held
at the club headquarters at Ruaraka Sports club.
Club custodian and former Harambee Stars Keeper Bonface Oluoch was
feted as the best goalkeeper, Crispin Olando (best midfielder), while
Joseph Mbugi emerged the most disciplined player.
Club captain Joseph Shikokoti who is out of the country for
trials in Europe with an
Armenian club was also feted in absentia as the best defender.
Coach Sammy Omollo disclosed that the club could face a huge dent
should Shikokoti and striker Itubu Imbem who is headed for Yemen for
trials succeed in their plans.
The club has accredited both players in the CAF organized Africa Club
Champions League .”If they come back, we shall still accommodate them
.Should they succeed in their trials, we still have their replacements
in the
team already whom we signed before the transfer window deadline,” he
said.
During the function, the coach unveiled the team's new signings who
include Peter Opiyo, David Ochieng', Kenneth Wendo, James Macharia,
Fredrick Onyango, Jerry Santos, Andrew Murunga, George Opiyo, Patrick
Kagogo, Obadiah Njenga and Luke Ochieng'.
Omollo disclosed that they have released Chris Litswa, Jeff Oyando, Kenneth
Odhiambo, Kennedy Oduor, George Midenyo and Ali Abondo to seek for
greener pastures.
He said their main threats this season could be the 2009 champions
Sofapaka, AFC Leopards, Football Kenya Limited (FKL) kings Gor Mahia
and former champions Ulinzi Stars.
Tusker FC, Chairman James Musyoki, who doubles up as the current
KPL chairman
thanked Tusker and EABL for supporting the team.
“Tusker FC needs the support of EABL even more now that they are the
KPL Champions; As the old adage goes, getting to the top is the easy
part, staying at the top is more difficult,” Musyoki said.
EABL Marketing Manager Tusker and Partner Brands, Kenneth Kareithi,
said that the Tusker brand was proud to be associated with the winners.
“Tusker FC has been a great ambassador for the Tusker brand and winning the 2011
Championship, literally on the last day of the season, was truly
legendary,” Kareithi said. “As a brand, we will continue supporting
the team through 2012 and beyond.”
Tusker FC will represent the country in the Africa Champions
League by virtue of winning the KPL title.They will face off with
Rwanda’s military side APR in the first leg clash slated for Nairobi
on February 18th.
The Bottlers will also be releasing players to the National Team Harambee
Stars in their 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and 2014 World Cup
qualification matches.
In November 2011, EABL presented Tusker FC with a brand new bus worth
Kshs.5million and a Sh1 million winning bonus as part of their ongoing
Kshs. 30m sponsorship commitment to the team.