Al Ain dominate UAE Pro League Awards

Al Ain ruled the roost at the UAE Pro League Awards 2021-2022 with nine winners, including the main Golden Ball for both foreign and Emirati players, at the Emirates Palace on Saturday.

Kodjo Laba bagged three awards – the Golden Ball for foreigners, Golden Boot for the league’s top scorer, and for the best goal of the league against Al Wahda.

Bandar Al Ahbabi took the Golden Ball for the Best Emirati player, Khalid Eisa won the Golden Glove, Erik Jorgens was handed the Best Young Foreign player award, Soufiane Rahimi was voted fans player and Serhiy Rebrov named the Best Coach.

“It means we did very well and very happy that we won so many awards on the night,” Al Ain’s Ukrainian manager Rebrov, who led his side to the league and Cup titles, told The National.

“To win the league and cup is an achievement and to see the players bag so many awards at the ceremony was a really proud moment for the club, our fans and the players.

“Obviously we want to take the momentum forward. It’s going to be another tough season with the Asian Champions League too on our roster. All we can do is prepare and play as we did last season, or even better.”

Laba, 30, said the three awards he received will remain one of his best football memories.

“I always put my team first and if the team wins we all win. If any individual awards come my way, I’m really glad, like what I received tonight,” the Togolese international, who topped the league scoring charts with 26 goals, said.

“These awards I won was because of my teammates. They supported in every goal I scored. As a team we played consistently well throughout the season. So the awards ceremony was reward for the hard work.”

Speaking on the 2022-2023 season, Laba said the team will have to raise