BY REBECCA MAGOMA
Kenyan Premier League(KPL) side Chemelil Sugar head coach Francis Baraza has lauded praises to his veteran forward Hillary Echesa after he was crowned July Sportpesa Footballer of Month owing to his superb performance.
Baraza said Echesa’s efforts have pulled the entire team a level up after scoring match winning goals in the Month of July for the side.
“He has been very influential and carried the team along. When he is on top of his game everyone steps up and we achieve good results and when he is not having a good game it affects the entire unit. Such is his influence in the team,” he said.
The Monthly award,Echesa walked home with a 43 inch LG television set,Ksh 100,000 and a personalized trophy to become the fifth player to bag the amended award with the previous awards going to Posta Rangers’ Timothy Otieno,Bandari’s Sharif Mohamed,Muhoroni Youth’s Wycliff Ochomo and former Gor Mahia player Khalid Aucho.
Echesa posted 20 points to take home the award ahead of City Stars’ forward Ezekiel Odera who managed 11 points while Ulinzi Stars hit man Mark Makwatta and AFC Leopards custodian Ian Otieno has nine votes each.
Commenting after the award, an elated Echesa was humbled by the award and pledged to keep playing until he is physically drained.
“I’ll keep going until it becomes impossible for me to compete with the young boys physically. Right now, I feel the same as I was years before. I love playing football and I’m not exiting the scene anytime soon,’ he said.
The Millers’ forward, Echesa netted the winner in their match against AFC Leopards and went ahead top score to secure a point for his side when he scored an equalizer in the dying minutes in their two-all draw against former champions Tusker and he also scored in their victory against former champions Sofapaka.
