Murang’a Seal striker Josephat Lopaga has been named the SportPesa League Player of the Month for October 2026 after an impressive start to the 2026/27 season, while Gor Mahia head coach Charles Akonnor took home the Coach of the Month award.
Lopaga scored six goals and provided one assist in four appearances during October, earning the first player accolade of the new campaign. His performances also earned him two Man of the Match awards, two Team of the Week selections and the league’s highest average player rating of 7.2 out of 10, according to Tisini Analytics.
The 24-year-old’s achievement marks another milestone in a football career defined by resilience and determination. Born in Baragoi, Samburu County, Lopaga grew up in a community affected by cattle rustling and insecurity. He left home at the age of 12, travelling through Maralal, Nyahururu and Nakuru before eventually settling in Nairobi, where he developed his passion for football.
He joined Gor Mahia’s youth team in 2017 before making his top-flight debut with the now-defunct Mount Kenya United in 2019. Subsequent spells at Posta Rangers and AFC Leopards were followed by stints abroad with Oman’s Dhofar and Belarusian clubs Dynamo Brest and Naftan Novopolotsk.
After returning to Kenya in 2025, he joined Kakamega Homeboyz before signing for Murang’a Seal ahead of the current season. He was expected to help fill the gap left by former captain and last season’s Golden Boot winner Joseph Waithira, and his early performances suggest he is rising to the challenge.
“I am very grateful for this recognition. I want to keep working hard, scoring goals and contributing to the team. I believe if I remain focused and continue performing, more opportunities and recognition will come,” said Lopaga.
The striker has previously expressed ambitions of establishing a football academy in Baragoi to give children in his home community opportunities similar to those that helped shape his career.
Lopaga faced stiff competition from Gor Mahia captain and midfielder Alpha Onyango, who finished second after scoring three goals and providing one assist in four appearances. Onyango also registered two Man of the Match awards and three Team of the Week selections.
The two players featured prominently in the season opener at Nyayo National Stadium on October 13, when Gor Mahia defeated Murang’a Seal 4-2. Onyango opened the scoring before Lopaga struck twice in the second half. The Gor Mahia captain also scored against APS Bomet and Bandari, finding the net in three consecutive matches.
Other nominees included AFC Leopards defender Kevin Luke Otiala, who recorded three clean sheets in four appearances, and Shabana goalkeeper Pavel Ndzila, who registered three clean sheets, nine saves and a penalty save.
Lopaga received KSh50,000 and a customised trophy for winning the monthly award.
Meanwhile, Akonnor’s recognition extends his impressive record since taking charge of Gor Mahia. The Ghanaian first won the Coach of the Month award in October 2025 and again in January 2026 before guiding the club to its record-extending 22nd league title. He was subsequently named the 2025/26 SportPesa League Coach of the Season.
His latest accolade follows a perfect October campaign in which Gor Mahia secured four victories from four matches, scoring seven goals, conceding two and keeping three clean sheets. The defending champions’ strong start placed them at the top of the league standings.
Akonnor beat Murang’a Seal coach Dennis Odhiambo to the award. Although Seal scored 11 goals during the month, the team conceded nine and failed to keep a clean sheet, with Gor Mahia’s defensive organisation and unbeaten run giving Akonnor the advantage.
“I am grateful for this recognition, but this award belongs to the players, my technical team and everyone working behind the scenes. Our focus has been on preparing well for every match, maintaining discipline and ensuring we continue to improve as a team,” said Akonnor.
“We have started the season positively, but there is still a long way to go and we must remain hungry and consistent.”
The former Ghana international and Black Stars head coach received KSh75,000 and a customised trophy.
SportPesa Head of Partnership and Sponsorships Japheth Akhulia said the monthly awards were part of the company’s efforts to recognise outstanding performances and strengthen competitive standards in Kenyan football.
“Our ambition for the SportPesa League is to make excellence a consistent expectation. These awards reinforce that ambition by recognising measurable performance and celebrating the players and coaches who are setting the pace for the competition,” said Akhulia.