Despite emerging as the Qatar Stars League (QSL) Top Scorer with a massive 24 goals and helping his side clinch the Emir Cup, Kenyan international Michael Olunga lost the Qatar Football Association (QFA) Best Player of the Year award to Akram Afif.Afif who is a Qatari national with Tanzanian roots managed 14 goals in the just concluded season, as his side Al Sadd lifted the title and added a goal each in the Emir Cup and AFC Champions League.Olunga shortlisted for Best Player of the Season award after Qatari exploitsOlunga however walked home with the Mansour Moftah Award, issued to the league’s top scorer as he adds his second Golden Boot to his trophy cabinet with his first coming in his final season at Japanese outfit Kashiwa Reysol.The Al Sadd forward received overwhelming votes from 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.The former Gor Mahia forward lit up the league with a flurry of goals despite missing two games due to injury as his closest challenger in the Golden Boot race being Ghana skipper André Ayew who was a massive nine goals behind Olunga.The 28-year-old extended his goal exploits in the AFC Champions League where he plundered four goals to help the team secure a place in the knockout phases of the tournament.The Harambee Stars captain added two goals in the Emir Cup as Duhail ended their three-year wait for the cup by drubbing Al-Gharafa 5-1 in the final which Olunga managed to get on to the scoresheet.Olunga included in Champions League Team of the WeekOther winners in the awards included Al Gharafa’s Homam Al Ameen who walked home with the Best Under-23 Player Award beating Kenyan-born Hashim Ali who turns out for Al-Rayyan.Al Wakrah’s Marquez Lopez scooped the Best Coach Award after securing another place in the AFC Champions League qualifiers by finishing third on the log.It is however important to note that being the Top Scorer does not necessarily guarantee the Best Player of the Year award.
