Harambee Stars' Collins Sichenje scoops prestigious award in Finland

By Tony Kipkorir

Harambee Stars midfielder Collins Sichenje added a prestigious accolade to his football career as he bagged the 2023 Young Player of the Year award for his Finnish top-flight outfit Kuopion Palloseura.

The former AFC Leopards defender was named the recipient of the award after enjoying a successful loan spell at the club he joined in March this year from Sweden’s top-tier side AIK.

The talented player, who has been converted to a center back, played an instrumental role to help Kuopion Palloseura register a second-place finish in Finland’s top tier league, just missing the title on goal difference.

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“Happy and honored to have scooped the Kuopion Palloseura Young Player of The Season Award. It has been a wonderful season in Finland. Thanks to the club management and fans for the incredible support throughout the season,” the player posted after receiving the award.

Following the exemplary performance, Sichenje is expected to return to his parent club in Sweden ahead of next season.

However, there is a high chance the Green Commandos product could secure a deal to a new club thanks to the impressive displays he has shown since donning the black and yellow Kuopion Palloseura colors.

Sichenje, who had an unsuccessful stint at Greek club PAOK B, received his maiden Harambee Stars call up in 2020 and made his national team debut a year later. 

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The 20-year-old was part of the Harambee Stars squad which registered a 2-2 draw against giants Russia in the recent October international friendlies but was an unused substitute.

In other awards, Austrian shot stopper Johannes Kreidl was named the club’s best player for the 2023 season and the supporters’ player of the year while Arttu Heinonen received the surprise player of the year reward.

Meanwhile Clinton Antwi clinched the coaching management award with Seth Saarinen going home with the most improved player of the year award.

The power player of the year award went to Finnish international Jasse Tuominen who netted four times and provided a similar number of assists in the just concluded season.

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Kuopion Palloseura Awards

Johannes Kreidl - Player of the Year / Fans’ Player of the Year

Jasse Tuominen - Power Player of the Year

Arttu Heinonen - The Surprise of the Year

Seth Saarinen - Most Improved Player of the Year

Clinton Antwi - Coaching Management Award

Collins Sichenje - Young Player of the Year

Urho Nassila - Goal King of the Year