After close to a month long break we finally resume action this weekend for our first match of the new year against slum boys Kariobangi Sharks. 

Head coach John Baraza will be looking to continue with the impressive ran of results registered before the long break and has called on right attitude on Saturday; ” We are facing a side that is currently not in their best of form but on a good day they are very dangerous and so am warning and at the same time urging the players to give their best to win the match. ”

” We understand they are struggling but we are side who are on a mission and so we are going to utilize every opportunity that comes our way.” 

“We are also happy to have a full house, everyone is well and fully fit for the match and so I expect stiff competition for selection and subsequently a win on Saturday.”

Current form

Ahead of Saturday clash a look at both sides present form ,we are on a good run with four wins and two draws from the last six matches while our opponents who are presently struggling have lost four and drawn two of their last six outings. 

Head to Head meetings

In our most recent six meetings we have played out to three draws, two barren draws and a one all draw, we won once by 2:0 scoreline while  our opponents won twice getting the better of us firstly by 1:0 scoreline and secondly beating us by three goals to one. 

General camp mood 

We are generally good no major injury concerns as most of our sidelined players all returned and are in contention for selection except for Brian Magonya who still sits out after undergoing a  knee surgery.

Ticketing Information

Prices for Saturday’s match will go for 300 bob VIP while regular tickets will cost 100 bob

Venue and time

The match will be played at the Kenyatta Stadium Machakos with kick off time being 2pm. 

Cameroon international Nuokeu Joel has expressed his happiness and admiration on joining the club. 

“I am very happy to be at Sofapaka Football Club because this team is in family and everyone has welcomed me well from the leaders and the players without forgetting the club’s president Mr. Elly Kalekwa who beyond football is a father to his players.”

“In my general evaluation and observation sincerely Sofapaka fc is a very good team with young talented players, a good game philosophy and a really great technical staff who clearly know what they want to achieve and always prepare towards winning.” 

“Football is generally the same everywhere but each country has its own philosophy and way of play.  I really hope to quickly adapt to Kenyan football and the physicality that comes with it.  I am proud to be in Kenya and I can’t wait to make my debut in this Kenyan Premier League.”

“I desire to win and every moment when I take to the pitch my ambition will be a champion of Kenya with Sofapaka fc.”

Joel Noukeu joins us from FC Lion Blesse of Ghana

Sofapaka FC today unveiled 11 new players to help them mount a strong charge to the remainder of the season as they hope to win the league title they last won in 2009.
Among the 11 are four highly rated foreign player and two youth players who have been promoted to the senior team due to their current form and two unattached players.
The foreigners include goalkeeper Nicholas Sebwato from Bright Stars Soccer Academy in Uganda, defensive midfielder Noukeu Joel from Lion Blesse Fc in Cameroon and Ghanian striking duo of Jedinak Ameyaw Nana and George Owusu, both from Channis Soccer Academy.
The players promoted from Sofapaka Youth team are defenders Stephen Otieno Okulla and Brian Wetende.
David Simiyu and Collins Wakhungu have joined from milling sides Chemelil and Nzoia Sugar respectively.
Sofapaka president Elly Kalekwa said he had confidence with the new players and said he was banking on them to help the side to a podium finish at the end of the season. He also lauded the support from
jersey sponsors Betika, which he said went a long way in helping the running of the team as well as motivation of players.
Betika Marketing Manager Jacky Tonui expressed satisfaction with the Sofapaka’s performance during the two year span the firm has partnered with the team, adding that they feel honoured to be part of the team during the transition period.
“We reaffirm our commitment to supporting football talent in line with our deliberate policy to give back to the society. I hope the new recruits will add value to the team and we wish them the best of
luck,” said Tonui.
The team’s coach John Baraza described the development as a dawn of a new era and reckoned that the new players have the willpower and zeal to take the team to a new level.
“We are lined up for consecutive games and must make catch-up and nothing was as good as bringing on board energetic players to realize our dream. The idea here is to go for consistency and I hope the young players will learn a lot from the older lot moving forward,” said. Baraza as he prepares to unleash his new squad against Kariobangi Sharks in an early kick-off on Saturday.

Complete List

Stephen Otieno Okulla – Defender (Sofapaka Youth Fc)

Brian Watende Mukana – Defender (Sofapaka Youth Fc)

Shawn Daniel Oloo – Midfielder (Unattached)

Wisdom Naya –  Midfielder (Unattached)

David Simiyu – Midfielder (Chemelil Sugar Fc)

Collins Wakhungu – Striker (Nzoia Sugar Fc)

Thomas Wainaina – Defender ( Nzoia Sugar Fc)

Nicholas Sebwato – Goalkeeper (Bright Stars Soccer Academy) Uganda

Noukeu Joel – Midfielder (Lion Blesse Fc ) Cameroon

Jedinak Ameyaw Nana – Striker ( Channis Soccer ) Ghana.

George Owusu – Striker (Channis Soccer) Ghana

Forward Ronald Okoth has issued a rallying call to fellow team mates to begin the new year on a positive note ahead of weekends clash against Kariobangi Sharks. 

“I feel the training has been good , we have had some top notch preparation before and after Christmas and I feel the team is ready to go.”

“Everyone is ready to play and give their all for the badge given the opportunity plus the new players too have already settled in well and together we are working hard towards pushing the team to achieve its ambition and target.”

“Going in to the weekends match , with the type of proper preparation we have been having I am confident we will fight for all the maximum points and  begin  the new year on a high . It will be a busy month for us but we will take it one game at a time.” Concluded Okoth.

Okoth who has since fully recovered will be hoping to play a role when the team finally takes on Kariobangi Sharks on Saturday.

Our new signing Wisdom Naya has expressed his delight on joining Sofapaka Football Club and expressed readiness for upcoming league matches.

“I am much delighted and happy to have joined this great club. I feel like it is a dream come true because this is my path to success.”

“I have always wanted to be in a more competitive environment and i am glad to be joining Sofapaka  because they have given me the chance and i hope to feature in  several league matches” 

On the task ahead! Naya says; 

“I know it won’t be an easy journey am just starting and am going to give my best for the club now and for years to come. I am joining a big club who have a clear ambition and have a right direction of where they are heading thus it calls for working extra harder help the entire achieve it’s target.”

“Finally I would also like to thank my coaches at Kitale Youth and St Anthony Boys without not forgetting too the players I player along with for playing a huge role in my growth.”  

The talented young midfielder joins  us from St Anthony Boys High  School having completed his high school studies last year 2019.

The team resumed preparations on Friday 27th December ahead of busy January schedule.

In a busy new month, the team shall play against Kariobangi Sharks on 4th January, four days later host Kenya Commercial Bank(KCB), then take on sugar based sides Chemelil Sugar and Nzoia Sugar away and home respectively before wrapping up the month of January with Gor Mahia duel.

January Fixture

04/01/2020 : Sofapaka Fc vs Kariobangi Sharks

08/01/2020 : KCB vs Sofapaka

12/01/2020 : Sofapaka vs Nzoia Sugar Fc

25/01/2020 : Chemelil Sugar vs Sofapaka Fc

29/01/2020 : Gor Mahia vs Sofapaka Fc

Head Coach John Baraza has called on his charges to exercise caution ahead of Kariobangi Sharks match. Ahead of Kenya Premier League (KPL) round 14 fixture, Sofapaka Fc will play away to host Kariobangi Sharks and head coach Baraza has rallied on his players to go for a win whilst praising the teams positive attitude in training .

“Firstly I want to appreciate and thank my players for the great attitude they have been showing in training since we resumed after the short festive  break. ” 

“We have a very busy January and its going to be very crucial for us in our title push. We shall be playing five crucial matches thus am calling on the players to treat each game with the right mindset because we are on a mission and we need to win to achieve our target.

He further added; “We are glad we have no major concerns because everyone is fit and available for selection. We want to build on and continue with the winning momentum we had before the break.”

The team will take on Kariobangi Sharks on Saturday 4th January 2020.

Head coach Divaldo Alves says the team’s mental strength is not broken despite a tough spell that has seen them lose two games on the trot. The tactician says the team is well framed to bounce back ahead of Sunday afternoon’s away tie against Kakamega Homeboyz.

“It is very normal that after losing two matches, the mental level drops, but for us I think we are still strong. We have worked hard in training to get the players focus back and we have overcome the mental issue. We are improving as a team and a unit and everything looks good,” stated the coach.

He added; “I have very good players with experience and they know what to do to get themselves out of this situation and we are here as coaches to support and push them.”

On Homeboyz, the coach says he is prepared for a very tough game.

“They are a very strong team. They move well in attack and we are aware on how they work and how we can try and block them as well as explore their weakness. We have prepared a good game plan and I remain confident we can get something,” he noted.

Team manager Hillary Echesa has called on the players to show more character and bounce back in the next match after back to back losses slumped the team to 12^th in the Kenyan Premier League standings.

Echesa, a former Kenyan international and Sofapaka captain believes the team has enough quality to respond to the slow start and post positive results especially in the next assignment away to Kakamega Homeboyz on Sunday.

“We really have to show our character as a team especially the players. We have to fight and bounce back because where we are is not where we should be. Losing two games back to back is not a good thing and we need to make a response,” Echesa noted.

He added; “We know that we are facing a tough match next, going away to Homeboyz. But this is the kind of game where we can get a win to boost our confidence. I know we have a very good squad and the players are capable of doing their best.”

Echesa has further urged on the players to ensure the recent results do not affect their motivation, saying their mentality should remain strong and focus on the task ahead than the results behind.

We host AFC Leopards at Narok Stadium on Sunday 27th October 2019, for our round seven KPL 2019/2020 league and this is our lineup as presented by our Head Coach Divaldo Alves and the technical bench.

Starting eleven include:

Richard Aimo .32
Willis Obayi .3 (C)
Mohammed Kilume .4
Faina Jacobs .6
Cersidy Okeyo .10
Peter Lwasa .11
Brian Nyakan .14
Elli Asieche .16
Titus Achesa .20
Sammy Imbuye .25
Kepha Aswani .50

SUBSTITUTES
Isaiah Wakasala .30
Musa Malunda .5
Timonah Wanyonyi .7
George Maelo .8
Ronald Okoth .23
Muhammed Kasirye .27
Allan Katwe .33