Head coach Melis Medo has described the Sunday Kenyan premier League season opener against Mount Kenya United as an emotional one as he comes up against his former employers for the first time. Medo joined Sofapaka from Mount Kenya last month.

“It will be a bit emotional for me because those are my young boys and we had a good time together avoiding relegation. But now, My loyalty is with these boys (Sofapaka) and that is where 100 percent of my concentration is,” the tactician said.

He added he expects a tough match against his former side but states the team is prepared and ready to give a good account of themselves on the opening day of the season.

“They will be out to prove something and I know it will be a very tough match for us. But we have prepared well and playing some good football so we are ready for the challenge. The players have worked so hard in pre-season and it is now time to put that action to work,” stated Medo.

He further noted that he expects to start positively, saying his mantra will be taking a match at a time.

“We have to go step by step. Win a game and plan for the next and be consistent,” stated the tactician.

Sofapaka FC has this afternoon unveiled 11 new players ahead of the new season. The ceremony took place at the club’s training ground where they were formally introduced to the media and officials.

General Manager Jimmy Ambajo says the management is confident in the players picked by the technical bench to steer the team over the new season and has promised support as the fight to win the 2018/2019 Premier League kicks off this weekend.

“We welcome all the new players into the team and we believe that they are the best the team could get. We are happy that our team is stronger and this season we need to fight for that title. We are behind you and will give you all the necessary support,” Ambajo said.

Also present for the short ceremony was also attended by sponsors Betika.

Marketing Executive Juddy Muchiri said; “We are happy to be associated with Sofapaka. We are happy with the success that you have had and we promise to continue supporting you through the new season.”

Speaking on the new players who he has brought in to strengthen the team, head coach Melis Medo was full of praise for their attitude and is optimistic they will be a hit with the team.

“We went in to get players on areas we thought we were not very strong. We needed to have a lot of depth because this is going to be a very long season because it’s short and quite compressed. I am happy with the players and how they have trained. Of course some of them will play on Sunday but we should expect to see a stronger Sofapaka playing beautiful football,” the tactician stated.

The players unveiled on Friday are; John Avire, Cliff Kasuti, Soter Kayumba, Isaiah Wakasala, Justine Ndikumana, Richard Aimo, Faina Jacobs, Ibrahim Kajjuba, Tony Adwar, Titus Achesa and Anthony Omutere.

Second half goals from Rwandese Justin Mico and Elli Asieche saw Sofapaka beat Premier League rivals Mathare United 2-1 in a friendly match played at the Goan Institute on Wednesday afternoon.

Mathare had gone ahead in the first half through midfielder Chris Oduor who swept home a cross from Daniel Mwaura.

However, Sofapaka rallied back in the second period and they restored parity when Mico slotted home from the penalty spot after a handball inside the box. Asieche then grabbed the win for Batoto ba Mungu with a header from close range after Faina Jacobs headed back to the edge of the six yard box a Tom Adwar corner.

This was the last friendly match for Sofapaka ahead of the new season which kicks off on Sunday with an away tie against Mount Kenya United at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.

Coach Melis Medo says he is happy with how his team is building up and notes they are almost ready for business.

“So far so good. I liked the character of the players today when they came from down and that shows some growth in the team. We are playing well and as a unit and I think we are ready for the season. Everyone looks sharp,” the tactician added.

He will use the final two days of training to polish on a few tactical areas.

Sofapaka new goalkeeper Justin Ndikumana says he is prepared to go an extra mile to see the club end a four-year title drought when the new season begins on Saturday. The Burundian shot stopper was signed from Congolese club St. Elloi Lupopo and three weeks into training with his
new mates says he can feel the positive vibes and hunger to win.
“So far I have enjoyed training with the team and I have felt some very good reception. I am happy to be joining the team and I want to keep working hard to help the team do well,” the keeper said.
He added; “I know Sofapaka is a very good club and has won the title before, but it is long since they enjoyed success. My aim is to work hard, do my part and see the club enjoy success.”
He further notes that coming from a league that has some of the best teams in the continent including the likes of AS Vita Club and TP Mazembe, he has enough experience with playing at the high level and he expects that piece of past to help him settle well in Kenya.
Ndikumana is a like for like replacement for Mathias Kigonya who left the club at the end of the last campaign and the Burundian says he is ready to fit into the gloves left by the Ugandan.
“Always when you come to replace a good player, you have to do your best to get to his level and even better. That’s my challenge now and I am up to it. I was signed into the team to work and I will do so,” Ndikumana further pointed out.
He is expected to fight for a starting role with other new signings, Richard Aimo from Chemelil Sugar and Isaiah Wakasala from Ushuru FC.

Sofapaka head coach Melis Medo will use Wednesday morning’s friendly match against fellow Premier League side Mathare United as a final gauge ahead of the new season which kicks off on Sunday with an away trip against his former side Mount Kenya United.
Medo says he has been pleased with the last four weeks of pre-season training and the Mathare game will be vital to polish up his tactical readiness and team shape for the first game of the season.
“So far so good, the players have really worked hard in training and I like what I have seen. Everyone looks sharp and ready and now it is just a matter of polishing up on a few areas, knowing who plays where and such,” Medo noted.
On the progress of the team in grasping his philosophy Medo said; “I am happy with how they have caught up and we are now playing some different football. Everyone is hungry to get into the team.”
The team last week played a friendly match against Zetech University winning 4-0 and Medo believes sizing up against a fellow KPL side will show exactly how much the team has transformed.

Sofapaka FC captain Stephen Waruru says he is happy with how the team is shaping up in pre-season ahead of the league’s kick off next week.
The forward says the new players brought on board and the new boss Melis Medo have brought in a feel good factor around the team and he feels they are gelling well and will be a solid team by the time they are playing their first match of the new season on December 8 against Mt. Kenya United.
“So far so good. Everyone is working hard in training and you can see from the players that they really want to get fit and ready for the new campaign,” Waruru said.
He added; “The new players have definitely added some strength into the team and now the depth is more. We are going into a very tough compressed season and for you to compete, you need enough depth.”
The 2009 league champions will step up their preparations for the new season with a friendly match against Waruru’s former employers Ulinzi Stars on Thursday morning at the Ruiru Stadium turf.

Sofapaka and Harambee Stars striker Piston Mutamba says he targets to vie for the Kenyan Premier League golden boot this season, stating his ambition to score important goals that would help his team break the duck and clinch the local silverware after nine years drought.
Mutamba who signed in June this year from relegated side Wazito FC, scored eight goals in the just concluded season, but he says he wants to double that number and probably hit the 20-goal mark.
“I have set my targets for the new season and the number of goals I want to score and for me, I want to be among the top scorers. If I will not be the best then at least, I should not be outside the top two. It is an achievable target and I have set myself out to hunt down the goals,” Mutamba noted.
He says he hopes to replicate the lessons he has picked from the national team to club level and keep scoring in order to get first team assurance and earning national team call-ups.
Mutamba has been a common figure for the senior team and a starter for the Under-23 side also known as Emerging Stars where he recently scored in both home and away matches against Mauritius in their 2020 Olympic Qualifiers.
“It is good being with the national team because you get to learn from the best, the likes of Olunga (Michael). You get to know how they do things abroad and those lessons help you to improve yourself,” the lanky forward noted.
He added; “At the junior team I am getting more playing time and scoring and that is very important for me as a player. I want to keep working hard at the club because that’s the only way I can ensure I keep playing for the national team.”

New boys John Avire, Ibrahim Kajjuba and Titus Achesa were on the mark as Sofapaka FC beat Division Two side Ruiru Hotstars in a training match at the Ruiru Stadium on Wednesday morning.

Sofapaka led 3-0 at half time in a match that head coach Melis Medo handed playing time to all but three of his players as he tested different playing systems as well as building the team’s cohesion with the new players.

Ugandan import Umaru Kasumba struck a brace in between Piston Mutamba’s finish to give the side a 3-0 cushion at the end of the first 45.

In the second half, Cliff Kasuti provided a cross that Avire calmly finished before Kajjuba slotted home the fifth after Avire’s shot inside the box was blocked. Achesa then rounded up the win with a low finish from inside the box picking up Avire’s cross from the right.

Head coach Medo said he was pleased with the performance, but admitted there’s a lot to do.

“It was good to see the different players playing in different systems. We are still building up the team and the cohesion with the new players and everything is coming out okay. However, we have a lot to do and work on before the season starts,” Medo said after the friendly.

All new signings played in the match with Burundian keeper Justine Ndikumana playing a huge role in his second session with the team. Rwandese centre back Soter Kayumba also started at centre back.

The team will resume training on Friday morning in Ruiru before a scheduled week-long training camp outside the city

Sofapaka today closed their signings of the season and are now focused on the league kick-off on December 8 after acquiring the services of new players.
Nakumatt talisman John Avire has re-united with newly appointed Sofapaka head coach Medo Melis after completing his move to the 2009 league champions today.
Avire whose antics helped Nakumatt put up a late surge that saw them survive relegation after they overwhelmed National Super League (NSL) side Ushuru in a two-legged play-off, is among two other Nakumatt players who joined their former coach at the new club. The others are midfielder Tom Adwar and defender Faina Jacobs.
Avire who proved to be lethal in front of goal during his short spell at Nakumatt will have to battle for a starting place against captain Stephen Waruru, Ugandan international Umaru Kasumba, season striker Kepha Aswani and Harambee Stars and Emerging Stars striker Pistone Mutamba.
Sofapaka who finished the league fifth last season have also acquired the services of highly rated Burundi national team goalkeeper Justine Ndikumana who joins from Democratic Republic of Congo league side AC St Louis Lupopo. Ndikumana will battle for his position against Richard Aimo who has joined from league side Chemelil and Isaya Wakasala who joins from Ushuru. The team got rid of all their three goalkeepers last season, Mathews Kigonya, Wycleff Kasaya and Reuben Juma after they failed to win any accolades.
Also on board at Batoto Ba Mungu’s camp is highly rated Amavubi’s central defender Soter Kayumba who has joined from Rwanda’s league side AS Kigali, left back Titus Achesa from Posta Rangers and midfielder Ibrahim Kajuba who is unattached.
Ironically, Sofapaka begin their title campaign against Nakumatt on December 8 at the Ruaraka Stadium, which will pit coach Medo and the three players against their immediate former club that has since been re-named Mount Kenya United.

Cliff Kasuti from Ulinzi stars was swapped with Ezekiel Okare in a mutual benefiting deal. Last but not least is Ali Niyonzima from AS Kigali whose services will be needed in the midfield area.

Players in:
Justine Ndikumana (AC St Louis Lupopo, DRC)
Soter Kayumba (AS Kigali, Rwanda)
Tom Adwar (Nakumatt)
John Avire (Nakumatt)
Faina Jacobs (Nakumatt)
Ibrahim Kajuba (Unattached)
Richard Aimo (Chemelil)
Isaya Wakasala (Ushuru)
Titus Achesa (Posta Rangers)

Ali Niyonzima (AS Kigali)
Cliff Kasuti (Ulinzi fc)

Players out:
Mathew Kigonya
Wycleff Kasaya
Reuben Juma
Timothy Luda
Bernard Mang’oli
Edmond Kwanya
Ezekiel Okare
Rodgers Aloro
Kevin Kimani

As the new season draws closer, Sofapaka FC head coach Melis Medo says he is impressed with the spirit and work-rate shown by the team in his first week taking charge of training. The tactician says there is still a lot of work to be done to refine the team, but notes the progress achieved so far is huge.

“It is good; so far I like what I have seen in the players and the work ethic they have shown. They are getting into the program… We are just trying to build the team and build the legs and work on the chemistry and know which player should play where and know who is strong in what,” the tactician noted.

He added; “It’s a new culture and we trying to get everyone involved. It’s one team under the same umbrella and I think it’s gonna be okay.”

The tactician says he is happy with the quality of players at his disposal even as he says he still needs at least five more players to complete his jigsaw.

“Players are what you make of them… You shape them, you create what you require. I am looking forward to working more with them and creating a good team,” the tactician further explained.

Meanwhile, Medo says he will approach one game at a time with his eyes focused on short term getting the team in top form by the end of the first leg and seeing where they will get to be at the end of the second leg.

“It is a very tough season, compressed and with a busy schedule. We have to go a step at a time, three points at a time and aim to play good football every game,” he added.