KCB‘s defensive midfielder Brain Ochieng nominated for Midfielder of the Year Award
KCB FC midfield dynamo Brian Ochieng believes he has what it takes to get the Most Valuable Player award in the next campaign with continued hard work.
The defensive midfielder had a stellar campaign in the just ended season, playing 31 of 34 matches and has been nominated as Midfielder of the Year in the forthcoming Football Kenya Federation Gala Awards slated for September 14.
He will battle it out with sensational Sofapaka captain Lawrence Juma, Tusker FC offensive man Jackson Macharia, Kakamega Homeboyz attacking midfielder Shami Kibwana, Wazito FC winger Kevin Kimani and James Mazembe formerly of Kariobangi Sharks.
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Speaking to People Sport yesterday, the soft spoken Ochieng, popularly referred to as Rio by his fans described the nomination as a reward enough for the solid season he has had for the team that finished that campaign second behind eventual winners Tusker FC.
“This is a dream come true for me and it only means my hard work paid off. I have been nominated alongside big names which is special and of course it will be a plus to win the award.
I want to thank my coach Zico (Zedekiah Otieno) for his input and influence on my overall game and I can only promise to do better next season with an eye on the Most Valuable Player Award.
Indeed this nomination has come as a surprise but I will take it in stride knowing very well that there are people watching my progress,” said Ochieng who joined KCB in 2018 from FC Talanta.
The hard tackling midfielder had in the past two seasons put in a magnificent show in the middle of the park alongside Michael Mutinda and that has been attributed to chemistry built overtime.
“In our team we have players that are known to each other which helped our season.
Mutinda and myself built a good relationship for the past three seasons and therefore it made our work easier.
When he got injured in the middle of the season, I had to carry a lot of load but thankfully other players stepped in,” he added.
Ochieng has dreams of donning the national team kit. “My time will come and I know I can deliver.
It is every player’s dream to play for their country. For now, it is about preparing and working for that achievement,” said the player who provided two assists for the Bankers in the last campaign.
