After missing out on the gong last year, Harambee Stars marksman 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 following another impressive campaign in the 2022/2023 season.The Al Duhail forward will face competition from Qatari international Akram Afif who plies his trade at Al Sadd and Tunisian midfielder Youssef Msakni currently on the books of Al Arabi.“The Board of Trustees of the Qatar Football Association Awards approved the final nominees for the Best Awards for the 2022-2023 football season, after the end of the voting process and sorting and approving the forms (53 forms), which had been sent to the participating parties in the voting process on May 2, 2023,” a statement for the league body read.Olunga landed himself the nomination after another fruitful season where the former Gor Mahia man netted 18 goals, putting him joint top of the top scorer’s charts alongside Al Arabi’s Omar Al Somah.Harambee Stars captain @OgadaOlunga nominated for the Best Player of the season award for the 2ns year in a row.Despite emerging as the Top Scorer last season, he lost it to Akram Afif who is also in the running again.The winner will be announced on Saturday.#StarsAbroad pic.twitter.com/8JOrHqkKlD— Ochieng’ Stephen (@soo_ochieng) May 8, 2023 The Kenyan international further chipped in with three assists to put his side in prime position to clinch their first league title since the 19/20 season should results go their way in the final round of matches being played on Monday.Duhail, who have a two-point lead over Al Arabi, could clinch the title without needing favours if they beat Al-Shamal at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium.Msakni and Afif on the other hand have scored 13 (5 assists) and 10 goals (4 assists) respectively.##NAJAVA_MECA_7234416##Despite emerging as the Top Scorer last season with a massive 24 goals and helping his side clinch the Emir Cup, Olunga lost the Best Player of the Year award to Afif who had managed 14 goals.Apart from Olunga, Duhail has another nomination in the coach of the year category where their tactician Hernan Crespo is on the list alongside midfielder imageKhaled Mohamed who has been nominated for the best player Under the age of 23 in the league.Harambee Stars prospect chooses to represent BelgiumThe nominees for the award for the best player under 23 years oldOsama Al-Tiri – Al-Rayyan ClubJassim Jaber – Al Arabi ClubKhaled Mohamed Saleh – Al-Duhail ClubConfident Omanyala promises fireworks at Kip Keino Classic set for KasaraniThe nominees for the Best Coach AwardBartolome Marquez Lopez – Al-Wakra ClubHernan Crespo – Al-Duhail ClubYounes Ali – Al Arabi ClubJohnathan McKinstry: The gutsy Northern Irishman daring to return Gor Mahia to its glory daysThe nominees for the Best Player AwardAkram Afif – Al Sadd ClubMichael Olunga – Al Duhail ClubYoussef Al-Masakni – Al-Arabi ClubThe winners of the various awards will be announced during the closing ceremony of the season, which will be held on Saturday 13 May 2023 at the Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC) in Education City.
