On October 22, 2023, Veikkausliiga side KUPS celebrated individual excellence after the end of the football season in Finland and among the shining stars, Kenyan International Collins Sichenje stood out, having been named the Best Young Player of the season by the club.
The versatile player took to social media to confirm the development and express his joy.
KUPS, will definetely want to keep Sichenje who is on loan from AIK in Sweden but that won’t be easy as he has had an amazing season in Finland as one of the best rated defenders from last season’s Veikkausliiga. There’s a high possibilty he will go back and fight for a starting position at AIK or move to another club that will guarantee him a starting berth.
Goalkeeper Johannes Kreidl emerged as the overall Player of the Year.
The Austrian shot-stopper exhibited incredible skills between the goalposts this league season. Johannes’s remarkable consistency was evident as he played every one of the 27 league matches from start to finish, amassing an impressive 13 clean sheets along the way. Notably, he pulled off a rare feat by saving two consecutive penalty kicks against Turku. His remarkable performances did not go unnoticed as the football journalists’ association, Pallokopla, also selected him as the goalkeeper for the 2023 star team.
KuPS celebrated its 100th anniversary season with a memorable finish, as the team clinched the valuable silver medals in the 2023 league season. The final match of the Veikkausliiga series concluded with a victory for the yellow and black against Helsinki Football Club, capping off a fantastic season. The season’s standout players were duly honored at a celebratory event held on Sunday evening.
Kuopio Palloseura’s Veikkausliiga team awards for 2023
1. Player of the Year – Johannes Kreidl
2. Power Player of the Year – Jasse Tuominen (4 goals + 4 assists)
3. The Surprise of the Year – Arttu Heinonen
4. Most Improved Player of the Year – Seth Saarinen
5. Coaching Management Award – Clinton Antwi
6. Young Player of the Year – Collins Sichenje
7. KuPS Supporters’ Player of the Year – Johannes Kreidl
8. Goal King of the Year – Urho Nissilä with 6 league goals
