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Ndolo defends his selection for top awards


Sofapaka’s Anthony Ekhaliani Ndolo has hit back at critics who have questioned his selection as the 2014 Kenyan Premier League Player of the Year and Midfielder of the Year awards, saying he has always been a top performer in the various clubs he has played for.

The 28 year old, who bagged the double awards on Wednesday at the KPL gala night, told Nairobi News that he has been working hard for his team this year which justifies his recognition as the best player.

“In all the clubs I have played for, my performance has always been commendable and because I worked harder this season, I think my selection was fair,” Ndolo said.

“The selection process involved all the 16 premier league coaches and that they settled on me confirms that they recognized my efforts. I did not offer any bribe to get my name ahead,” he added. Ndolo, a former Yanga FC, SC Villa and KCCA player says that this has been his best season ever, and attributes his achievement to the contribution of his teammates.

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“Back in Uganda, I made several nomination lists but I never won any award mainly because I was a foreign player. I am really happy with the turn of events this year,” he said.

Ndolo was whisked away from his Uganda’s KCCA club early this season by Sofapaka coach Sam Timbe who had been his coach during his stints at Yanga (Tanzania) and SC Villa (Uganda).

Timbe, along with club chairman Elly Kalekwa, convinced him to “return home” and sign the contract, something he says turned out to be a great move.

“I was a little hesitant about coming to Kenya because I had never played in the premier league, but I listened to my coach (Timbe), and I am glad that I have achieved a loot on my debut season,” he said.

“Now that my efforts have been recognized, I feel more confident that I will achieve my dream of playing in the more professional leagues, preferably in Europe,” he said.