Olunga shortlisted for Best Player of the Season award after Qatari exploits

Harambee Stars skipper Michael Olunga will be looking to add the Qatar Football Association (QFA) Best Player of the Year award to his illustrious trophy cabinet after being named in the final list for the gong following his mind-boggling season.

The Al Duhail forward will face stern competition from Al Sadd forward Akram Afif and Angolan footballer who plies his trade in Al-Wakrah on loan from Portuguese club Rio Ave, Jacinto Dala.

Former Arsenal midfielder Santi Carzola was named on the indicative list but was omitted with Jacinto Dala included after scoring 11 goals compared to the Spaniard’s six in the just concluded season for Qatar Stars League (QSL) champions Al Sadd.

Those eligible to vote in the awards include QNB Stars League team coaches, Qatar national team coach, Qatar Olympic team coach, club team managers, national team manager, media representatives, representatives of QFA, representatives of QSL, president and board members of the QFA Awards Board of Trustees, Aspire, Qatar Olympic Committee, Qatar Players Association, Old Players Committee and Sponsors.

Olunga in line for yet another MVP award

Portuguese coach Luis Castro who was Olunga’s tactician before he was shown the door back in mid-March is still in the running for the Best Coach of the Season alongside Al Wakrah’s Marques Lopez and Al-Arabi’s Younes Ali who won the Qatar FA Cup.

Another Kenyan is in the running for the award after Mombasa-born Hashim Ali was also included in the final list following an impressive season for Al Rayyan alongside Al Gharafa’s Hammam Al Amin and Al Duhail’s Salah Zakaria.

Mansour Moftah Award for the top scorer will go to Olunga after leading the Golden Boot charts with 24 goals, nine more than his closest challenger André Ayew.

The 28-year-old who is currently leading the race for the Best Player of the Year will be looking to add his third Player of the Year award after winning it back in 2015 in Kenya and 2020 in Japan.