Sofapaka striker Pistone Mutamba has said he will not celebrate if he scores against his immediate former employers Wazito, was the two sides clash on Sunday in a Kenyan Premier League match at Camp Toyoyo.
Mutamba who shifted allegiance at the beginning of this month is likely to return to haunt his previous side, owing to his current league form, but he is categorical that he would not be in a celebration mood if he scores.
“I will not celebrate if I score against Wazito on Sunday. It is like my home. I joined them in 2015 straight from Kakamega High School and they horned my skills as I scored for them 46 goals before I left.
There is no way I can celebrate scoring against them,” said Mutamba. He added: “I’m, however, keen to score, because that is what I’m paid for.”

Kenyan Premier League side Sofapaka will face National Super League (NSL) side Western Stima in the round of 16 of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Shield competition on July 22 at the Narok Stadium.
According to a draw conducted on Thursday, Shield champions AFC Leopards will be against Mwatate United on July 25 at Kasarani, while league champions Gor Mahia who beat Posta Rangers 5-0 in a midweek league match on Tuesday, will have another date with the mail men on July 25.  

Modern Coast Rangers who play in the second tier, have been drawn against Kariobangi Sharks, while Friend Zone will be against River Plate and Kenya Police play against Leysa.
Tusker have landed a date against minnows Bungoma Superstars, while Ulinzi Stars will be against league side Vihiga United.
On their way to the round of 16, Sofapaka saw off Re-Union and Baba Dogo United.

Full Draw
Saturday, July 21, 2018
1. Modern Coast Rangers vs Kariobangi Sharks (Mbaraki Sports Club, 3 pm)
2. Friend Zone vs Riverplate (Narok Stadium, 1 pm)
3. Kenya Police vs Leysa (Narok Stadium, 3.15 pm)
Sunday, July 22, 2018
1. Vihiga United vs Ulinzi Stars (Mumias Complex, 3 pm)
2. Tusker vs Bungoma Superstars (Narok Stadium, 1 pm)
3. Sofapaka vs Western Stima (Narok Stadium, 3.15 pm)
Wednesday July 25, 2018
1. AFC Leopards vs Mwatate United (Kasarani Stadium*, 2 pm)
2. Posta Rangers Gor Mahia (Kasarani Stadium*, 4 pm)

Sofapaka cruised to the last-16 of the FKF-Shield after hitting Baba dogo United 3-0 on Sunday in a match staged at Camp Toyoyo grounds in Nairobi on 24^th June 2018.

Waruru scored the first goal on the 18^th minute for Sofapaka taking the lead in a clever finish after he was teed up by Kasumba. Piston Mutamba setup the play and passed the ball to Umaru who teed up with Waruru.

Six minutes later Kasumba netted another goal for Sofapaka, again Piston Mutamba involved in the build-up, robbing the ball from Baba Ndogo’s defender Ochieng Kennedy and later delivering a through pass to Kasumba who slotted home from 12 yards out.

Baba Dogo could not find a way past Sofapaka’s defence and their real chance came in the 27^th minute when Aloro Rodgers fouled striker Ochieng JohMarik leading to a free-kick. Joshua Warui stepped up but his take hit the Sofapaka wall.

Sofapaka widened their lead on the 50^th minute after the break when Pistone Mutamba drove in a free-kick after his team mate Elli Asieche had been fouled by Dola Vincent.

The former Wazito FC striker stepped in curling to the top right corner to give his side the winning goal.

Babadogo made quick changes bringing in fresh legs in the likes of Enock Momanyi and  Kennedy Ochieng, but they could do little to salvage a point for their side.

Less than a month after completing the move from Mathare United to the 2009 Kenyan Premier League champions Wycliffe Kasaya has seamlessly settled at Sofapaka and has already featured in more matches for his new team than he did in the last six months at Mathare United, keeping three clean sheets in his first three games at the club. 

Kayasa joined the Slum Boys in 2016 from the then National Super League side Nakumatt, and Sofapaka quickly moved for him when he became available on a free transfer after seeing off his two year contract with the 2008 Kenyan Premier League champions. 

Kasaya packs a lot of experience having turned out for the most decorated clubs in the country – Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards and it is no surprise that he has quickly adapted to life at Sofapaka, where he says he is braced for the new challenge.

“So far I feel accepted and I’m impressed with the teamwork at the club,” he told Sofapaka portal

“I needed a new challenge and after having talks with Sofapaka, I realized that our visions are in line and the coach also has a lot of faith in me and spoke to me about needing an experienced player in the team.”

Since jumping ship, Kasaya has started two league games and a Shield game against Reunion FC, and is yet to concede but faces tough competition for the number one slot from captain Mathias Kigonya who also happens to be the club’s second top goal scorer this season.

“One thing I believe is that if there is great competition the team will post great results. Kigonya is a top goalkeeper and we also have (Reuben) Juma who is also outstanding too, so when either is handed an opportunity we support each other and give our all,” he added.

At Gor Mahia, Leopards, Bandari and Sony Sugar, Kasaya played against his new coach at the team, John Baraza. He is now settling well in his role under the former Kenyan international’s tutelage.

“I’ve seen him play and he managed to score a couple of goals against me and I respect him so much. He has a lot of potential and I see him making a great coach in future, he is also like a father figure in the team not only me,” Kasaya observed.

Kasaya played just one game this season at Mathare – against Sony Sugar – and he is hoping to make up for the time he spent out with injury. 

“My target is that I should keep a clean sheet in every game I play because in football when you don’t concede you don’t lose and that will help the team.”

Kasaya will be hoping to extend his perfect run at Sofapaka in their next game against Baba Dogo United in the Sportpesa Shield.

Baba Dogo faces baptism of fire as Sofapaka’s Baraza unleashes his best for Shield match. Baba Dogo United could be playing in the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Provincial league, but former Kenyan Premier League champions Sofapaka will not under rate them when they meet in a Shield match at Camp Toyoyo on Sunday.

Sofapaka coach John Baraza has ruled out players rotation for the match and said he would field his strongest side to guarantee a win over the minnows and progress to the next level of the competition.

“Teams in Nairobi cannot be underrated, they could be small on paper but are capable of shocking big sides because they enjoy the services of some former players who played in the top leagues recently. I’m not going to rotate the team, I’m going to pick my strongest side to make sure we win the match,” said Baraza.

Sofapaka who beat Re-Union three weeks ago to set a date with Baba Dogo, will miss the services of skipper Mathew Kigonya, striker Kepha Aswani and defender Yusuf Mohammed for the match. They have, however, been boosted by the return of Bernard Mangoli. “Aswani has a knock on his knee, while Yusuf has a groin injury, so they will not be available for the match. Kigonya has travelled to Kampala, Uganda to represent the team at the burial of our former captain David Bagoole so he will also miss in action, but Mangoli is back,” Baraza said.

In the absence of Kigonya, Kenya international Wyclef Kasaya will be standing between the posts, while striker Pistone Mutamba will benefit in the absence of Aswani to start upfront alongside Stephen Waruru and Umaru Kasumba.

Bagoole, 38, succumbed to Cryptococci Meningitis at Lira Regional Referral Hospital Thursday, according to reports.

The former Sofapaka SC skipper has been ailing for a while and was Wednesday transferred to Lira where he was diagnosed with the deadly fungal disease and was today pronounced dead.

Sofapaka coach John Baraza described Bagoole as a “good hearted man” and “really likeable.”

“He was very instrumental in Sofapaka surviving relegation in 2016, he led from the front as captain.

“Very sad for us as Sofapaka family, we are in mourning; hit by the new that Baagole is no more. Rest in peace ssebo (brother).

“A good hearted man; at one time he bought a full set of uniforms for Sofapaka U20 team. He was really a likeable and respectable figure during his time here,” the Sofapaka boss said.

Bagoole’s illustrious career begun at Iganga Town Council before he moved to Uganda giants Express FC where he made a name for his hard work and ball distribution abilities.

He then moved to Rwanda where he played for the country’s two big clubs Rayon Sports and APR.

He later crossed over to Kenya with Sofapaka captaining the side and helping them avoid the chop in the 2016 Kenyan Premier League season.

Bagoole ended his career in the DR Congo where he played for Kinshasa heavyweights before hanging his boots at Bakavu Dawa.

International striker Pistone Mutamba is optimistic of winning the golden boot after opening his goals account on his debut for new side Sofapaka on Sunday.
Mutamba who joined the ‘Batoto Ba Mungu’ early this month from Wazito FC took little time to open his goal account for his new employers in their 3-0 win over Thika United at the Thika Municipal Stadium. Kevin Kimani and Elly Asieche scored the other goals.
“Sofapaka is a big team with a lot of quality players. If I could score six goals for Wazito, then clearly I can double that figure here, because we have the best midfielders in the country at Sofapaka
and if they feed me with the balls, then why should I not be the top scorer at the end of the season,” said Mutamba who also earned a national team call-up last month.
He may, however, have to work extra hard to catch up with the current league top scorer Elvis Rupia of Nzoia Sugar who has found the back of the net 15 times this season, compared to Mutamba’s seven goals.

Sofapaka FC avenged their previous loss to Thika United with a 3-0win in a Kenyan Premier League match staged at Narok Stadium on Sunday 17 June.

Heading to this clash, Sofapaka FC were reeling from their 2-1 loss they suffered during their first leg match. A win would also see John Baraza charges return to winning ways after a midweek loss to AFC Leopards which ended their five match unbeaten run.

The first half ended goalless following fine saves from keeper Eluid Emase. He denied Kepha Aswani in the opening minutes of the game and went on make an impressive save in the closing minutes the opening half to stop the side from conceding a goal before halftime.

He also ensured that Stephen Waruru did not score. Thika United had several chances through Francis Muturi but he failed to get on target.

In the second half, Sofapaka FC came back with a zeal and scored three goals. The first goal came as a result of a misplaced pass by Zack Matasi and new signing Mutamba pounced on the lose ball and netted on his debut. 

At the 70th minute, Kevin Kimani added the second from the spot after David Odhiambo handled the ball in the 18 yard box. Eli Asieche got the third and final goal at the 76th minute.

Sofapaka has moved to the second spot in the KPL league tables standings

Sofapaka coach John Baraza eyes to take his side to second place in the Kenyan Premier League standings when they take on Thika United at the Narok Stadium on Sunday. Batoto ba Mungu are fourth on the table with 31 points having lost their last league game against a resurgent AFC Leopards.

Baraza has urged his players to be more alert, aggressive and serious during the match despite the fact that Thika are struggling to get results. Thika shocked Sofapaka with a 2-1 beating in the first leg and Baraza knows only too well this is a match they should approach with caution.

“Thika is a good team despite their current struggles. We can’t approach that game relaxed like we did against AFC. We were on a good run and I think it got into the players’ minds. They were too casual and thought things would happen without them fighting,”

“We have to get into the Thika game with the right attitude and fight to get a win,” the coach noted.

In Narok, Kepha Aswani will be present to boost the strikers, after missing the Ingwe game with injury while new signing Piston Mutamba makes his debut.

“Piston came back from national team duty and we thought he wasn’t at the best physical level in terms of fitness. He had played all games for the national team plus the jet lag as well so we decided to rest him. Against Thika, for certain he will play,” Baraza noted.

However, the team will miss the services of Bernard Mang’oli who got injured during training.

History will favor Sofapaka in this tie as they have won nine and lost four of their last 19 meetings with Thika.

Sofapaka team that will face Thika United at the Narok Stadium on 17th June 2018. Starting eleven include:

STARTING ELEVEN

Kasaya Wycliff
Maelo George
Yusuf Mohammed
Obaye Willis
Moussa Omar
Osok Teddy
Elly Asieche
Okare Ezekiel
Mutamba Pistone
Aswani Kepha
Waruru Stephen

SUBS

Mathias Kigonya
Kwanya Edmond
Kimani Kevin
Umaru Kasumba
Oduor Micheal
Kitawi Ibrahim
Aloro Rodgers