After a troubled Football Kenya Federation Premier League marred by regulatory issues players and clubs mustered their best efforts to thrill fans in spite of the controversies and uncertainties surrounding Kenyan football at large. Leading sports new portal Mozzart Sport was on hand to document and report the action as it unfolded around the country.Mozzart Sport journalists have compiled their best players of the season individually with everyone having their preference in each position. Kevin TeyaGoalkeeper: Patrick Matasi- The Tusker assistant captain returned to the club before the start of teh season and established himself as the Brewers’ first choice keeper again. He kept 18 clean sheets in 25 games and bagged the 2021/22 golden glove. He is my keeper of the season.Defence:David Nshimirimana- The Sofapaka FC defender has been rock solid in Batoto ba Mungu’s backlinee this season. He featured in nearly all the games and his team had one of the best backlines in the league this season, they let in just 25 goals all season.Sylvester Owino- The Kakamega Homeboyz continued to show why he is one of teh highly-rated young defenders in the country. Apart from being solid for the league runners up, he chipped in with a couple of goals.Christopher Oruchum- His partneship with Charles Momanyi at the heart of defence let in the least number of goals in in the league this season (17). He was rock solid at the back and was also Tusker’s player who played most minutes this season.Geoffrey Onyango- The Kariobangi Sharks youngster continues to rise. He scored one goal and set up seven others during the 2021/22 season.MidfieldersDennis Magige- He was one of Bandari’s best players this season. His quality and industry in the middle of the park did not go unnoticed. Timothy Ouma- The Nairobi City Stars’ man has been classy this campaign. He ended the season with seven goals and nine assists to his name. David Okoth- The Kakamega Homeboyz man is one of the reasons his team was in the title race on the final day of the season. He scored 11 goals and set up a couple of others.Clifton Miheso- This was the Kenya Police’s best scoring season. Heading to the final match day, he led the scorers’ chart with 15 goals before KCB’s Derrick Otanga bagged a brace to leapfrog him. He has been key for the law enforcers.StrikersFelix Oluoch- His season was partly curtailed by injuries but he still managed to score 12 goals for Kariobangi SharksDerrick Otanga. The 2021/22 season was not KCB’s best but their talisman managed to find teh back of the net 16 times, winning the golden boot in the process.Meshack KisengePlaying 4-4-2Goalkeeper: Patrick MatasiHe rarely got playing time in the initial stages of the season as the technical bench preferred Brian Bwire in between the sticks. When the opportunity came his way, he grabbed it with both hands and was instrumental in Tusker’s march to the 13th league title. Apart from his reflexes and distributing the ball effectively, he was the most vocal player on the pitch whenever Tusker were in action and it did not not catch by surprise when he was named the assistant captain. He kept 18 cleansheets in 25 matches.Right Back: David Otieno If you’ve been closely following the just concluded campaign, you may have realized that a good number of the clubs preferred to play with a three-man backline. This approach principally helps commit more numbers forward and covers the loopholes in the full backs by keeping the opposing flanker at bay.This was the most difficult slot to fill for me as majority of the clubs tried different players at right back but one experienced defender stood out for me.David Otieno may not ring a bell in the Kenyan football circles but the Sofapaka man cured the problem the club has been experiencing before as he played almost all the matches for the 2009 champions.He has solid at the back and was precise in delivering the final ball.Left back: Isaac KipyegonForget about what you may have heard in recent times and focus on his performance in his maiden season at Tusker.Kipyegon handed Tusker the first defeat of the season as he scored the winner when the Brewers played AFC Leopards at Thika Stadium in day one at Thika Stadium.He would cross over to the Ruaraka based club and it is safe to conclude that, the beer makers have ultimately reaped returns on the investment they made.Centre Back: Christopher OruchumA strong candidate for the most improved player of the season. Oruchum formed a rock-solid partnership with Charles Momanyi at the heart of the Tusker defence.When Tanzanian national Kalos Kirenge got injured early in the season, he took up the chance and established himself in the first team, that ended up leaking fewest goals in the season. His vision, precisely in whipping long balls forward was an added advantage.Centre Back: Sylvester OwinoA goal scoring centre back who carried the responsibility of anchoring the Kakamega Homeboyz defence despite his age and experience.The 21-year old, one of the tallest players in the league was good in dealing with aerial challenges and would end up scoring three goals.He was impressive on the ball and depicted calmness at the rear even when under pressure.Humphrey MienoThe evergreen Tusker captain was largely used as an impact player last season but was a key member of the starting team this season.Mieno rarely put a bad footing and I wouldn’t be surprised if is named the midfielder of the season.His experience and ability to balance things in the midfield allowed his partner Rodgers Ouma to carry the ball forward with ease.Many would have thought he would struggle in shielding the defence but his versatility considering that he once played continental matches as a centre back came in handy.Vincent Wasambo The Posta Rangers midfielder carried the ball forward seamlessly especially during the Stanley Okumbi era.The former Kariobangi Sharks midfielder was excellent in making both long and short passes. He showed what he is made of in initiating quick transitions and also tracking back. Wasambo has come of age and has a bright future ahead of him.David OkothThe Kakamega Homeboyz wide man is arguably the player with the most powerful shot in the league.The fleet-footed player would turn his markers inside out at will before unleashing hard shots that saw him finish the season with nine assists against his name.Okoth was good in taking freekicks, swinging in crosses and offered a lot in defending as his pace enabled him to come to the aid of the back line whenever they were in need of numbers.Clifton Miheso The Kenya Police winger missed the ‘Golden Boot’ by a whisker as Derrick Otanga beat him to the award in the final day.He managed to score 15 goals and had a couple of assists written against his name. Miheso scored a host of freekicks and was designated penalty taker at Police.The former Gor Mahia winger still has the pace and dribbling skills that were a nightmare to his markers.Felix Oluoch Were it not for injuries, perhaps the Kariobangi Sharks forward would have had a better goal tally at the end of the season. The forward displayed top marksmanship and shrewd movements in the box that bore twelve goals in his first season with Sharks.For a player who was plucked from National Super League side APS Bomet last year, hitting double digits in the top tier is quite something.Derrick Otanga The ‘Golden Boot’ winner proved that he is the kind of a forward who needs half a chance to score.He finished the season with 16 goals and was the shinning star in the rather dark season the Bankers had. Otanga was the best fourth scorer in the league last season.SubstitutesJacob Osano (Gk), Charles Momanyi, Geoffrey Onyango, Kevin Juma, Timothy Ouma, Ezekiel OderaImran OtienoGK: Patrick MatasiThe former Posta Rangers custodian displayed exceptional leadership skills which was instrumental in Tusker FC retaining the title as he kept 18 clean sheets in the 25 matches that he played.RB: Baraka BadiDespite his team enduring a nightmare season, Badi was one of the shinning lights in an otherwise dark season for KCB as he sparingly ever has a bad day in office and has added some attack into his game which was previously lacking.CB: Christopher OruchumDespite all the praise being heaped on Matasi for his outstanding clean sheet stats, Oruchum also deserves some credit in suring up the Tusker rear guard and was the player to have clocked the most minutes at the club in the concluded season.CB: Sylvester OwinoThe lanky center back impressed with his ball playing abilities and aerial power which led to him registering a number of goals but unfortunately they were not enough for them to clinch their maiden league title.LB: Dennis WanjalaHaving made the move from Nzoia Sugar to Nairobi City Stars before the start of the season, Wanjala fit into Simba wa Nairobi like a hand to a glove with his devilish crosses posing a threat in the other end of the field.DM: Humphrey MienoThe veteran is a Rolls Royce of a midfielder who is not combative but makes up for that with killer passes and also chipped with a number of goals for Tusker.CM: Lawrence JumaHis performances have flown under the radar this season but Juma managed 10 goals for Sofapaka and managed to put in impressive displays at the club despite a challenging start to the season.LW: Clifton MihesoSince making the move to Kenya Police FC, Miheso has continued with his blistering form but his barren spell in mid season ultimately cost him the ‘Golden Boot’.RW: Abdalla HassanDeputizing the arm band for Felly Mulumba on a number of occasions, Hassan has also seen his game mature as he netted seven goals for Bandari.ST: Felix OluochWere it not for an injury, Olouch would have certainly bettered his tally and who knows maybe he would end up as the top scorer following an outstanding season with Kariobangi Sharks in his second season in the top flight.ST: Derrick OtangaA late flurry of goals at the tail end of the season saw him clinch the Golden Boot in the last game of the season as he scored a number of braces and a hat-trick.Stephen Ochieng’GK: Patrick MatasiArguably one of the best signings of the season. Provided exemplary leadership all the time he was picked between the sticks. Had a league high 18 clean sheets as a reward for his efforts.RB: Baraka BadiIn a spot where even the national team struggles, the KCB was solid both in attack and defence.CB: Sylvester OwinoComposure personified. A player who has all the hallmarks of being ready for the next step in his career. Always provided a threat in attack with his height at set pieces and always snuffed out danger for Kakamega Homeboyz.CB: Christopher OruchumAn ever present in Tusker’s backline. The rugged defender was never afraid to put his body on the line to clear any looming danger.LB: Godfrey OchiengThe Gor Mahia defender is a different breed. With him on the pitch, a coach is always assured of 110% work rate and a constant level of performance. Very difficult to beat as well.CDM: Humprey MienoThe Tusker captain is the perfect case study of class is permanent. Despite not managing to play full games at the start of the season, Mieno always made an impact whenever introduced to the side. His maturity and experience also helped Tusker to their 13th title.CM: Timothy OumaProbably the next big thing to come out of the Kenyan league. His eye for goal and a killer pass always made Nairobi City Stars a dangerous prospect with the youngster in the side. Very bright future ahead.LW: David OkothOne of the main reasons why Kakamega Homeboyz put up a real title fight in the just concluded season.RW: Clifton MihesoProved to be revelation at newbies Kenya Police with his goals. Probably take away his strikes and the law enforcers find themselves in the relegation places. One of the best signings of the window.CF: Derrick OtangaTop scorer! It does not get better than that for the KCB man who went one step further compared to last season.CF: Felix OluochFor a debut season, the Kariobangi Sharks man performed beyond expectation in putting himself in the race for the Golden Boot. Barring any injuries, who knows just how far he could have achieved.
