Razor-sharp Police FC forward Elvis Rupia has said he is thrilled to have broken the 47-year Golden Boot record after a sterling performance this season.
Rupia blasted the back of the net 27 times to fend off a hot challenge from Gor Mahia’s Benson Omalla on his way to the Golden Boot podium.
“I’m happy to have finally won the race. It was not all that easy. It’s something I didn’t quite expect considering at one point there was a huge goal difference between Omalla and me,” Rupia said in an exclusive interview on Thursday.
For a long time, Benson Omalla called the shots on the goal-scoring leaderboard and looked poised to tuck away the coveted prize.
However, Rupia rallied strongly from behind to seal get the last laugh. With that feat, the Harambee Stars gem shattered the previous record of 26 goals set by Moris Aloo Sonyi while featuring for record champions Gor Mahia in the 1976 Kenyan Premier League season.
“I’m glad I finally laid claim to the Golden Boot after twice missing it by a whisker in 2018 and 2021,” Rupia said.
His aspirations to bag the gong were nipped in the bud in 2018 when he joined Zambian top-flight side Power Dynamos from Nzoia Sugar. He signed a three-year deal that entailed a Sh250,000 monthly salary.
“I almost clinched the Golden Boot in 2018 after netting 15 goals, but a move to Zambia midway through the season saw me finish second behind Elvis Kapaito who scored 16.
“The enthralling rivalry of the pair hit the crescendo on the last day of the season when Omalla hit the back of the net to equal Rupia’s tally of 26 goals in their final campaign against Nairobi City Stars at Moi Stadium Kasarani on Sunday.
Just as everybody expected the duo to share the spoils, Rupia burnt a hole in the net to level the proceeding for his side in their two-all draw against KCB at the Utalii Grounds.
The goal propelled his tally to 27, one more than Gor Omalla who dominated the chart for the better part of the season. Rupia’s 27 goals are spread across 20 games.
Meanwhile, Omalla says he is unfazed by the unfortunate turn of events that grabbed the meat right from his mouth.
“Football is a highly competitive sport and anything is bound to happen anytime. Of course, I’m disappointed I never won the race after leading for a long time,” Omalla said.
Omalla took consolation in the fact that he contributed vastly to Gor Mahia’s successful title hunt.
“My business is to score goals and I’m excited I now have a brilliant opportunity to display my prowess on the continental stage during next season’s Caf Champions League,” he remarked.
