In that brief moment he stood on the podium, Gor Mahia midfielder Enock Morrison was overwhelmed by emotion, struggling to find the right words to express his feelings.
Indeed, with two prestigious trophies in his hand, it was a moment that would have left many speechless.
The 26-year-old Ghanaian had just been crowned the 2025/26 SportPesa League Most Valuable Player (MVP) and the Midfielder of the Season at a colourful gala ceremony held at Glee Hotel in Nairobi on Thursday night.
“Asante sana (thank you very much) to the Kenyan community, who gave me a home away from home, who gave me a support system,” Morrison said as he fought back tears.
He dedicated his MCP award to the club’s former patron, the late Raila Odinga. He also dedicated his awards to his mother, his colleagues at Gor Mahia, the club’s management, and the Kenyan football fans.
In the race for the MVP, Morrison floored the season’s top scorer, Murang'a Seal’s striker Joseph Waithira, and Mara Sugar’s defender Jimmy Owili. Waithira was also crowned the Players’ Player of the Season while Owili was named the Defender of the Season.
The 2025/26 SportPesa League Player of the Season Joseph Waithira of Murang'a Seal displays his trophy during the SportPesa League awards gala in Nairobi on June 4, 2026.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
In the battle for the midfielder of the season, Morrison defeated AFC Leopards’ Tyson Otieno and Kakamega Homeboyz’s Estone Esiye.
Signed in June 2024 on a two-year contract after becoming a free agent, Morrison has been a stand-out player at K'Ogalo.
Before joining the 22-time Kenyan champions, the midfielder turned out for 24-time Ghanaian champions Asante Kotoko Sporting Club. He was among the more than 20 players Kotoko released after the 2024/25 season.
Morrison’s exceptional performances and fighting spirit on the pitch played a crucial role in Gor’s triumph in the just concluded campaign.
K’Ogalo were crowned Kenyan champions after leading with 69 points, five points more than second-placed AFC Leopards.
The midfielder featured in 31 matches where he earned an impressive 15 Man of the Match performances.
SportPesa CEO Ronald Karauri and Football Kenya Federation president Hussein Mohammed pose with the winners in various categories during the SportPesa League awards gala in Nairobi on June 4, 2026.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
He also made it to the Team of the Week several times and was nominated SportPesa League Player of the Month three times.
On Thursday, the midfielder admitted that at no point in his career did he ever imagine that he would one day be celebrated as the best player in a league.
He revealed that when he arrived in Kenya in June 2024, he never expected to shine brightly as he has done, but his strong belief in his talent kept him going.
“Never,” Morrison stated.
Struggled to settle in Kenya
“Even when I was young, I never thought that this day would come but I believed in my talent, I believed in myself, so I think that is what has got me here.”
But Morrison's contribution to Gor’s success this season was not just with the ball but also through motivation.
On several occasions, the Ghanaian was seen on the pitch encouraging his teammates to keep fighting until the last minute.
FKF president Mohammed Hussein (centre) with the league's MVP Enock Morrison (right) and Coach of the Year Charles Akonnor, both of Gor Mahia, during SportPesa League awards gala in Nairobi on June 4, 2026.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
He had also been vocal about Gor’s march to victory, something which has earned him love and hate in equal measures.
For instance, after Gor defeated their bitter rivals AFC Leopards 1-0 in the “Mashemeji” derby, Morrison posted memes on social media mocking the fans who had predicted that K’Ogalo would lose the match.
After every Gor’s win, Morrison has repeatedly made the phrase “Ni mbaya! ” (It’s no joke!).
This phrase is slowly becoming his nickname as was evident during the gala where attendees repeatedly chanted it while referring to him.
Previously, Morrison disclosed how he struggled to settle in Kenya, particularly with the food.
Morrison said he now feels at home at Gor thanks to the arrival of his compatriots at the club, coach Akonnor and strikers Ebenezer Assifuah and Ebenezer Adukwaw.
'Now I feel more comfortable here than last season because I feel I have my people around me. Communication has been better," he said.
On Friday, outgoing Gor veteran midfielder Ernest Wendo heaped praise on Morrison saying he deserved to win the two awards.
“He is very passionate about the game and a real fighter. He hates to lose and his contribution in the team’s success has been huge,” said Wendo.
Gor coach Charles Akonnor, who was named Coach of the Season, said in March that the midfielder deserved to earn a call-up to Ghana's national team. the black Stars.
The 2025/26 SportPesa League Coach of the Year Charles Akonnor of Gor Mahia displays his trophy during the SportPesa League awards gala in Nairobi on June 4, 2026.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
“He has not been in the picture for a long time, probably because of his performances and now he is doing very well, so maybe now they can start to look at him in that aspect,” the coach noted then.
Morrison said on Thursday that he expects to replicate his performance next season. “Everybody is looking up to me next season and I’m sure I’m going to give it a good try and win it again,” he said.
“We all know how big baba is in Gor Mahia. We all know how he loved Gor Mahia, how passionate he was about the team. I witnessed it and had the privilege of meeting him when he was alive. So, having achieved this today, I can’t celebrate without dedicating the award to a big man like baba,” he stated.
