Coach John Baraza expects Mathare United to come all out for revenge when the two sides clash in a Kenyan Premier League fixture in Machakos on Sunday. Sofapaka won 4-1 in the first leg at Kasarani and Mathare will be looking to atone that defeat.

“Obviously when you beat someone once, they will always come tough to try and ensure you don’t beat them again. This will make the match tougher for us. Again, matches between us and Mathare have always been explosive and I expect it to be this way again,” Baraza said.

He adds; “They are a tough team with good technical and tactical players and we have prepared well for them. We have trained so well this week and I expect us to fight for maximum points.”

On the title race; “The gap between us and Gor Mahia is not that big and I believe they can slip anywhere. You never know. As much as they have games at hand, they still have to sweat it out on the pitch.”

The coach will have a clean bill of health with everyone available for the game.

Our round 25 lineup as we play Sony Sugar fc at Green Stadium, Awendo on Sunday 21st April 2019 for the Sportpesa Premier League Championship as presented by our Head Coach John Baraza and the technical bench

Starting eleven include:

Justin Ndikumana .01
Faina Jacobs .06
George Maelo .08
Micheal Oduor .11
Umaru Kasumba .13
Dennis Omino .14
Moussa Omar .15
Elli Asieche .16
Titus Achesa .20
Stephen Waruru .22
John Avire .40

SUBSTITUTES

Richard Aimo .32
Kepha Aswani .50
Cliff Kasuti .33
Brian Magonya .26
Pistone Mutamba .09
Cornelius Juma .07
Willis Obayi .03

Our lineup for the round 24 match as we play Kariobangi Sharks fc at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos on Thursday 18th April 2019 for the Sportpesa Premier League Championship as presented by our Head Coach John Baraza and the technical bench

Starting eleven include:

Justin Ndikumana .01
Willis Obayi .03
Mohammed Kilume .04
Faina Jacobs .06
Umaru Kasumba .13
Moussa Omar .15
Titus Achesa .20
Brian Magonya .26
Ibrahim Kitawi .28
John Avire .40
Kepha Aswani .50

SUBSTITUTES

Richard Aimo .32
Cliff Kasuti .33
Stephen Waruru .22
Elli Asieche .16
Dennis Omino .14
Micheal Oduor .11
George Maelo .08

Sofapaka custodian Justin Ndikumana became the second goalkeeper to win the Player of the Month Award since its inception five years ago.

Ndikumana trounced the likes of Bethwel Warambo, Enosh Ochieng and Eric Kapaito to scoop the March 2019 gong following a series of heroic goalkeeping for Sofapaka. Gabriel Andika became the first goalkeeper to be crowned way back in 2015.

The Burundi international kept three clean sheets out of four matches played in March and saved a crucial penalty that secured vital points for his title-chasing club. “I have been praying that I become the
winner this month because I played well and everybody was talking about me. I’m glad I caught the panel’s eyes and so I can look forward to better days,” Ndikumana jubilantly declared.

“Such awards boost my confidence and the team at large. I want to thank the entire squad, not just the defense that helped me keep the clean sheets. I feel like I can face any opponent and stand tall in
goal and prevent them from scoring,” he added.

Ndikumana was nominated alongside Allan Wanga of Kakamega Homeboyz, Vincent Oburu of AFC Leopards, Enosh Ochieng of Ulinzi Stars, Bethwel Warambo of KCB and Eric Kapaito of Kariobangi Sharks. Wanga and Oburu were dropped from the final shortlist that was subjected to a vote.

The Sofapaka man garnered 27 points to clearly finish ahead of Warambo and Ochieng who tied on 21 point. Kapaito finished 4th on ten points.

Teammates burst in Lingala sings when his name was read out at their training ground. His fete crowned a perfect month for Sofapaka who won both player and coaches’ award. John Baraza was voted March Fidelity Insurance Coach of the Month having guided his club to more victories over other league rivals.

The Africa Cup of Nations bound Ndikumana talked up the team’s chances ahead of their debut in African continent’s premier football event. “We are very happy to have made history of joining the big boys up there. The intension is not to just participate but compete for every point and hopefully reach another milestone of getting past group stage,” he quipped.

CAPTION: Sofapaka’s Justin Ndikumana receives the Footballer of the month award for March 2019 from Maureen Kemunto of LG and Sportpesa’s Trizzah Akoth at Eastleight High school on April 16,2019.

Our lineup for the round 23 match as we play KCB fc at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos on Sunday 14th April 2019 for the Sportpesa Premier League Championship as presented by our Head Coach John Baraza and the technical bench

Starting eleven include:

Justin Ndikumana .01
Willis Obayi .03
Mohammed Kilume .04
Faina Jacobs .06
Micheal Oduor .11
Moussa Omar .15
Titus Achesa .20
Stephen Waruru .22
Brian Magonya .26
John Avire .40
Kepha Aswani .50

SUBSTITUTES

Isaiah Wakasala .39
Cliff Kasuti .33
Ibrahim Kitawi .28
Ibrahim Kajuba .25
Elli Asieche .16
Umaru Kasumba .13
George Maelo .08

Our lineup for the round 22 match as we host Ulinzi fc at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos on Wednesday 10th April 2019 for the Sportpesa Premier League Championship as presented by our Head Coach John Baraza and the technical bench

Starting eleven include:

Justin Ndikumana .01
Faina Jacobs .06
George Maelo .08
Pistone Mutamba .09
Micheal Oduor .11
Umaru Kasumba .13
Dennis Omino .14
Moussa Omar .15
Elli Asieche .16
Titus Achesa .20
Stephen Waruru .22

SUBSTITUTES

Richard Aimo .32
John Avire .40
Ibrahim Kitawi .28
Brian Magonya .26
Ibrahim Kajuba .25
Mohammed Kilume .04
Willis Obayi .03

Sofapaka coach John Baraza has said he will continue with the team’s rotation in order to get desired results, when he leads his charges against Ulinzi Stars in a crucial Kenyan Premier League midweek match at the Machakos Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.
Baraza who has in recent matches made numerous changes to the team, said that he believed that by rotating the players he was getting the best from them and said he would not shy away from the practice as the league heads to the homestretch with a hot pursuit to leaders Gor Mahia.
“Rotation helps a lot. At the moment we have no injuries in the team and everyone is fit. By rotating the players we get good output from each of them because they are fresh and full of energy,” said Baraza.
In the team’s 1-1 draw against Vihiga United a week ago, Baraza preferred to use George Maelo at right full back and Titus Achesa on left full back with a midfield of Elly Asieche and Brian Magonya.
At the weekend, during the team’s 2-0 win over Zoo FC, Baraza opted to use international utility player Dennis Odhiambo instead of Achesa at left full back and Willis Ouma instead of Maelo at right full back
with a midfield Mohammed Kalume and Asieche.
“It’s going to be a tough match, since Ulinzi are wounded after losing their last two matches in the hands of Kakamega Homeboyz and AFC Leopards, but we are ready for the challenge, because we can also not afford any more slip ups if we are to catch up with Gor and overtake them,” Baraza said.
The last time the two sides met, the match ended in a 2-2 draw at Afraha stadium.

Our lineup for the round 21 match against Zoo fc at Kericho Green Stadium on Sunday 07th April 2019 for the Sportpesa Premier League Championship as presented by our Head Coach John Baraza and the technical bench

Starting eleven include:

Justin Ndikumana .01
Willis Obayi .03
Dennis Omino .14
Faina Jacobs .06
Moussa Omar .15
Mohamed Kilume .04
Elli Asieche .16
Pistone Mutamba .09
Umaru Kasumba .13
Stephen Waruru .22
Micheal Oduor .11

SUBSTITUTES

Richard Aimo .32
George Maelo .08
Titus Achesa .20
Ronald Okoth .23
Brian Magonya .26
Ibrahim Kitawi .28
Ibrahim Kajuba .25

Sofapaka coach John Baraza has asserted that his team is in the race for the SportPesa Premier League title despite falling seven points behind league leaders Gor Mahia.

Sofapaka fizzled in their quest to slice the gap to five yesterday after labouring for a one-all draw against relegation threatened Vihiga United at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos.

However, Baraza is not moved by the gap as he anticipates K’Ogalo to falter along the way and Sofapaka will have a chance to pounce. Baraza insisted that it was too early to write them off as they have the capacity to challenge the defending champions, who could widen the gap to 10 should they win their game inhand. Sofapaka have played 20 matches while Gor have played 19.

“It’s too early to write us off just because we shared spoils with Vihiga and we are seven points behind Gor Mahia. It is possible to close in on them and surpass them. This is football and no one knows how they will perform in their next match,” insisted Baraza.

The 2009 league champions enjoyed a 1-0 lead for long spells but conceded barely ten minutes into the final whistle leaving Baraza to rue a lapse in concentration in his rearguard.

“Lack in concentration allowed Vihiga to squeeze the equaliser at a crucial stage of the match and this is something we have to work on before our next match against Zoo Kericho,” added Baraza.

While Baraza was livid with his charges for failing to hold onto their lead, his Vihiga United counterpart, Mike MuIruri was delighted with the point gained. He remained hopeful of escaping relegation.

“We came for early goals and the three points, which did not materialise, but I am happy with the point gained from a very tough match. We have an important game on Sunday against KCB at home and we have to fight for the three points to allow us rise to a safer place. I am not worried of relegation for I am sure we will be able to keep our top flight status,” said Mururi.

Stephen Waruru gave Sofapaka the lead in the 54th minute but Christopher Masinza levelled for Vihiga in the 82nd minute

Our lineup for the round 20 match against Vihiga United fc at Kenyatta Stadium Machakos on Thursday 04th April 2019 for the Sportpesa Premier League Championship as presented by our Head Coach John Baraza and the technical bench

Starting eleven include:

Justin Ndikumana .01
George Maelo .08
Titus Achesa .20
Faina Jacobs .06
Moussa Omar .15
Mohamed Kilume .04
Elli Asieche .16
Brian Magonya .26
Umaru Kasumba .13
Stephen Waruru .22
Micheal Oduor .11

SUBSTITUTES

Richard Aimo .32
Willis Obayi .03
Ronald Okoth .23
Pistone Mutamba .09
Ibrahim Kitawi .28
Ibrahim Kajuba .25
Dennis Omino .14