Gor Mahia sweep October awards as coach Akonnor, winger Musa claim league honours

Coach and Player of the Month: Gor Mahia head coach Charles Akonnor and winger Sharif Musa. (Photo: SportPesa/X)

By Erick Kariuki
Friday, November 21, 2025

The awards, reintroduced by league sponsors for the first time since 2018, aim to recognise outstanding performers while increasing fan engagement and improving competitiveness across the top flight.

Gor Mahia dominated the inaugural edition of the revived Kenya Premier League monthly awards, with head coach Charles Akonnor and winger Shariff Musa winning the Coach and Player of the Month accolades for October 2025, respectively.

The awards, reintroduced by league sponsors for the first time since 2018, aim to recognise outstanding performers while increasing fan engagement and improving competitiveness across the top flight.

More To Read

Musa, who delivered a standout month for K’Ogalo, walked away with the Player of the Month gong after defeating AFC Leopards defender Vincent Mahiga and teammates Enock Morrison and Michael Kibwage in the final vote.

The winger received 150 votes from fans and was presented with a customised SportPesa League trophy along with a cash prize of Sh50,000.

The Harambee Stars winger was instrumental as Gor Mahia secured three wins out of three in October against KCB, Posta Rangers and Mathare United.

He scored in the victory over Mathare and provided an assist against Posta Rangers.

The winger’s impressive output, highlighted by 92 per cent passing accuracy, five chances created, and 13 crosses in the Police FC match earlier in the season, earned him a recall to the national team for the November friendlies.

“It feels good to be the first winner since the awards returned. I’m hoping for more,” Musa said during the ceremony.

SportPesa, in partnership with local data provider Tisini, confirmed that fan voting contributed 20 per cent to the outcome, saying the goal is to deepen supporter involvement and increase transparency.

“It was a very competitive endeavour. Musa led with 150 votes, and that is verifiable for anyone who wishes to challenge the numbers. We want fans to engage even more with the league. That is why these awards will run until the end of the season, where we will also host a gala,” said SportPesa’s Partnerships and Sponsorships Manager, Japheth Akhulia.

On the technical bench, head coach Charles Akonnor clinched the Coach of the Month award after guiding Gor Mahia to a perfect October record. The Ghanaian tactician, who previously coached the Ghana national team and captained Bundesliga side Wolfsburg, masterminded three straight victories: 1–0 over KCB, 3–0 against Posta Rangers, and 2–0 over Mathare United.

Akonnor, who pocketed Sh75,000 alongside a customised trophy, praised his squad and fanbase for their unwavering support since his arrival.

“First, God comes before everything. Three or four months ago, I didn’t know what to expect. We lost our first match, but we’ve picked up very well. Our fans win the match before it even starts, they come in numbers, and the numbers are increasing. I’m grateful to my technical team, the stewards, management, and especially the players,” he said.

Akonnor also reflected on the shift in approach that sparked Gor’s resurgence.

“When we lost our first match, it was bitter. Arsenal also lost theirs and went on to win, but ours didn’t work out. So we decided to approach games differently. We now have to work even harder for the matches to come.”