Kimanzi: Oliech, Wanyama deserve Player of the Year nomination.

Former Harambee Stars, Sofapaka, Mathare United and Tusker FC coach Kimanzi speaks to Goal about his top five performers for the year 2014.

Former Harambee Stars and Tusker coach Francis Kimanzi believes AC Ajaccio striker Dennis Oliech deserve to be nominated for this year’s Goal Kenya Player of the Year award.
Goal readers will again have the opportunity to vote for a Kenyan player , who stood head and shoulders above everyone else, including Kenyans from KPL or abroad.
Kimanzi whose last posting with Harambee Stars was in 2011, says Tusker midfielder Osborne Monday, Southampton’s Victor Wanyama, Gor Mahia defender David ‘Calabar’ Owino and Sofapaka forward Anthony Ekhalie Ndolo should also be on the list.
“The fact that Oliech is still playing and scoring goals for his club makes him eligible to be on the list.”
Kimanzi said it does not matter that Oliech’s club Ajaccio has been relegated to the French ligue two.
“I am impressed that he is still playing week in week out and can get a position in his club. It shows that his passion for the game continues to burn every day. I think he still has a lot to offer.”
Regarding Osborne Monday, Kimanzi said: “He made a huge impact at Tusker this season where he was a key player. His influence was even evident in training. He played almost all the matches managing to stay injury free for the entire season.”
He said Monday’s performance was even more impressive if you consider that in 2013 he didn’t play much while at Mathare United.
He said Victor Wanyama stands head and shoulders on his list of the most influential players in 2014. “He was certainly the flag bearer for all local players. Being signed by Southampton was a historical moment and will always be an inspiration to the other players.
“Add that to the goals he scored in England and you have a very inspiring player.”
Kimanzi also believes David ‘Calabar’ Owino was influential for Gor Mahia at the back and had a positive contribution with Harambee Stars.
“As for Ndolo, he gave Sofapaka options upfront. Before he joined the club, Sofapaka were over-relying on John Barasa. Barasa could no longer cope with the pace of Enock Agwanda but the arrival of Ndolo changed all that as it brought competition into the team.”