Ovella credits those behind his stellar season after being feted at Leopards gala

AFC Leopards ace Ovella Ochieng has expressed his heartfelt gratitude after scooping the club’s award for the best goal of the season following the conclusion of the 2024/25 season.

Taking to his Instagram page on Monday, July 28, 2025, the pacey winger singled out his parents and personal trainer among the figures whose presence and support made him attain the feat.

Thankful

“I am truly honoured and grateful to receive this award .🙏

I want to thank God, my parents, the technical bench, and my personal trainer, BIGGY Karani,. he said.

He also recognised the role of his fans, both from the Ingwe fraternity and in his personal life, who have been instrumental in inspiring him to more success.

“To my fans who voted, I feel so lucky to have your support in my life, and I want you to know how much it means to me. Your unwavering belief in me has given me the courage and strength to pursue my dreams, and I am forever grateful for that. Thank you for being such amazing friends and fans,” he said in a statement on his Instagram page.

Bandi’s Day

Ovella was among the players recognised following the Saturday event that saw skipper Lewis Bandi emerge the winner of the night, scooping two awards.

Bandi was crowned the ultimate winner after taking home the Most Valuable Player (MVP).

He also clinched the Best Defender accolade after beating fellow defenders Kennedy Owino and Randi Bakari in the category.

Despite his absence from the event, Leopards handed him his flowers by recognising his contribution to the team.

“Our MVP. Our Defender of the Year. Our captain. Congratulations, Lewis Bandi. All the best as you represent the country in the upcoming CHAN Competition,” Leopards’ congratulatory statement to the defender read.

Other winners

Mousa Oundo scooped the award for the best midfielder, followed by Boniface Munyendo and the promising young talent Kelly Madada, settling for third place.

Ovella Ochieng’s stunning long-range free kick that went viral was voted as the best goal of the season during the awards gala.

Randi Bakari, on his part, went home with the Player’s Player award after topping the list ahead of Ronald Sichenje.

Full list of winners

𝐌𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫 (𝐌𝐕𝐏)
1. Lewis Bandi
2. Musa Oundo
3. Levis Opiyo

𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐌𝐢𝐝𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫
1. Mousa Oundo
2. Boniface Munyendo
3. Kelly Madada

𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫
1. Lewis Bandi
2. Kennedy Owino
3. Randy Bakari

𝐅𝐚𝐧𝐬’ 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫
1. Bonface Munyendo
2. Cliff Miheso
3. Victor Omune

𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫𝐬’ 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫
1. Randy Bakari
2. Ronald Sichenje

𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐆𝐨𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧
Ovella Ochieng

𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧
1. Ronald Sichenje
2. Victor Omune
3. Victor Otieno

𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫
Collins Kasembeli – Bungoma Branch

𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐅𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫
Maureen

𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝.
1. Embakasi South Branch
2. Executive Branch
3. Bungoma Branch

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