File photo of Akram Afif
Doha: Al Duhail’s goal-scoring machine Michael Olunga appears favourite to win the best player honours but the Kenyan star is expected to face a challenge from Al Sadd playmaker Akram Afif as the Qatar Football Association (QFA) shortlisted names for 2021-2022 season QFA Awards.
QFA announced the final nominees for the awards yesterday after approval by its Board of Trustees following the screening process of nomination forms.
Al Wakrah’s Jacinto Dala is also in running for the best player award but the competition is expected to be between Olunga and Afif following their outstanding performances in the QNB Stars League 2021-2022 season.
Kenya’s Olunga, who will be awarded the Mansoor Muftah Award for the Top Scorer after his tally of 24 goals in 20 matches in the QSL season, leads the rating.
Qatar star Afif, a former Asian player of the year, netted 14 goals besides 17 assists in 18 games, and is second in the rating list. Dala played an important role as Al Wakrah finished third in the QSL season, scoring 11 goals in 17 matches.
Meanwhile, coach Luis Castro, who left Al Duhail following their Amir Cup triumph in March, is a frontrunner for the best coach award after he guided The Red Knights to second in the QSL behind champions Al Sadd, who saw Javi Gracia replacing Xavi Hernandez as head coach in the mid of the season.
The other final nominees for the best coach award are Marques Lopez of Al Wakrah and Younes Ali whose Al Arabi finished fourth in the QSL.
Al Rayyan’s Hashem Ali, Homam Al Ameen of Al Gharafa and Al Duhail’s Salah Zakaria have been shortlisted for the best U-23 player award.
QFA said yesterday that the winners of Football for All and Best Referees Awards will be announced along with the final awards results.
QSL team coaches, Qatar national team coach Felix Sanchez, Qatar Olympic team coach, Club team managers, national team manager, media representatives, representatives of QFA and QSL besides President and Board members of the QFA Awards Board of Trustees are participants in the voting process along with Aspire, Qatar Olympic Committee, Qatar Players Association and sponsors.
FINAL Nominees
Best Player Award – Michael Olunga (Al Duhail), Akram Afif (Al Sadd), Jacinto Dala (Al Wakrah)
Best Coach Award – Younes Ali (Al Arabi), Marques Lopez (Al Wakrah), Luis Castro (Al Duhail)
Best Under-23 Player Award: Hashem Ali (Al Rayyan), Homam Al Ameen (Al Gharafa), Salah Zakaria (Al Duhail)
