STARTING

Mathias Kigonya
Rodgers Aloro
Yusuf Mohammed
Moussa Omar
Willis Ouma
Teddy Osok
Kevin Kimani
Bernard Mangóli
Kepha Aswani
Umaru Kasumba
Hilary Echesa

Substitutes

Emmanuel Opiyo, Stephen Waruru, Humphrey Okoti, Ibrahim Kitawi,  Micheal Oduor, Eli Asieche, Ezekiel Okare

 

KPL  week matches kick off this and Sofapaka will be looking for a bounce back from last weekend’s Bandari loss.

Batoto Ba Mungu sparkling last season performance was dented by a 3-0 loss at home to the Dockers in their opening match at their homeground stadium. Their week two opponents Kakamega Homeboyz registered a 1-0 against Thika United. The clean sheet kept might suggest Homeboyz are ready to keep their defense firmness witnessed last season. A record that was only bettered by Gor Mahia.

With the striker Kepha Aswani returning to returning to full training, Sofapaka are assured of sharpened striking edge. The Sam Ssimbwa boast of another KPL proven forward in Stephen Waruru and last season club’s top scorer Kasumba. The three make a formidable team that will make Homeboyz be ready of continuous and relentless attacks even in the absence of Homeboyz defender Charles Momanyi.

The home form of Homeboyz might also affect tomorrow’s match especially that the match has been moved from Bukhungu to Mumias Complex. In 2017, Homeboyz won the second leg fixture 2-1 while the initial match ended 0-0. When the two sides clash on February 11th, the favour is wide open to be tilted either way.

Once bitten twice shy is an idiom which aptly befits Sofapaka who will be seeking for an improved performance in their second match of the 2018 Kenyan Premier League (KPL) against Kakamega Homeboyz at the Mumias Complex on Saturday, February 10.

After their inexplicable 3-0 defeat by Bandari in Narok last weekend, Sofapaka have declared that they will be leaving no stone un-turned to restore the confidence of their fans.

“We lost to Bandari because the team had not gelled but prepare to see a a vastly improved Sofapaka side against Kakamega Homeboyz,” said Batoto Ba Mungu Head Coach Sam Ssimbwa.

The Ugandan tactician said the team’s main Achilles Heel was failure to gel, adding that this is an area he has been working on for the better part of this week during training.

“We have good players and from the way I see, they are gradually gelling and you should expect a descent score-line against Bandari. Mistakes are always there but the worst one can do is to repeat them as this is unforgivable,” said Ssimbwa.

Almost similar sentiments were echoed by the team’s veteran player Hillary Echesa.

“There were some lapses against Bandari but we have learned from our mistakes and can’t afford to repeat them. Kakamega Homeboyz is a strong team with experienced players like Wanga (Allan), Situma (James) and Mudavadi (Moses) who know each other quite well but I have this feeling we can beat them,” said Echesa.

The journeyman who has traversed several countries said scoring early goals will be important for Sofapaka to disorient Homeboyz.

“Scoring early goals will help us put them (Homeboyz) off-balance and then we will manage to kill off the game. But we have to remain focused to achieve that,” said Echesa.

Among the players Sofapaka are expected to lean on are new signings Ibrahim Kitawi, Stephen Waruru, Kevin Kimani  and old-timer Ezekiel Okare.

However, Sofapaka will miss the services of midfielder Mohammed Kilume who is nursing an ankle injury he sustained during the game against Bandari.

KPL side Sofapaka has received a huge boost with striker Kepha Aswani resuming his team training.

The Batoto Ba Mungu striker missed Bandari clash as his side was humbled 3-0 by in league’s opener match played on Sunday 4th February at the Narok Stadium. Aswani joined Sofapaka last December from Nakumatt on a two year deal and is expected to partner with Stephen Waruru who ditched Ulinzi Stars.

Aswani, who also missed international friendly against KCCA, believes that his partnership up front with striking partners, Waruru and Ugandan international Umaru Kasumba will help Sam Ssimbwa’s side to lift the title.  

Sofapaka will take on Homeboyz on this coming Saturday 10th at Bukhungu Stadium.

Bandari has started the 2018 KPL season on a zooming note after seeing off Sofapaka 3-0 in an entertaining match played on Sunday 4th February at the Narok Stadium.

The match started with a moment of silent following the passing on recently of Bandari Team Manager. The teams however made it an end to end affair soon after the kick off whistle in what was impressive football especially with Harambee Stars coach Paul Put in attendance.

Bandari however appeared to have gotten into the rhythm faster but their first free quick taken by Shaban Kenga heading straight into the four man wall. The visitors pushed the hosts back into their area with Waruru often doing some defensive work.

The former Ulinzi man would soon be penalized after a foul but their opponents continues to push; Aloro Rodgers standing firm and proving impressive in Sofapaka defence. Meja Nicholas also came close with his shot at the near post being cleared but it was not long before Anthony Wambani opened the scoring, connecting perfectly with a through ball from the midfield in the 15th minute.

Sofapaka did not sit back and attacked in response with Bandari keeper Shikhalo being forced off his line to punch away an Aloro Rodgers freekick from outside the box. Wambani was enjoying a field day and would soon return with more attacks capitalizing on the gaps left in the Sofa defence and grabbed his brace five minutes later; this time finding himself at the end of Kenga cross inside the box to tactfully shoot past a helpless Kigonya.

Felly Mulumba was at hand to rescue the dockers from an agile Waruru and clear the danger in the 30th minute. Unconvinced with the performance thus far, coach Ssimbwa made an early double substitution introducing Aswani and Oduor for Asieche and Osok who appeared to be losing too many balls. Aloro had his freekick saved towards the end of the first half with Shikalo showing a mix of confidence and experience but the visitors continued to dominate the match; fans not being left behind in cheering the action. King’atua and Kimani had final attempts on goal to the end of the first half but with no results.

There was no reprieve for Sofapaka in the second half as the visitors remained on the offensive and soon they added the third through David King’atua; the ‘prodigal son’ and lanky attacker reacting fast on a rebound from Kigonya to release a short straight to the back of the net. This followed two failed header attempts from Aswani.

As Sofapaka attempted a comeback in the 60th mark, Shikalo would become a darling of the fans making three impressive saves with amazing reflexes first rising to grab goal bound high ball before diving to stop Umaru Kasumba’s well timed header. He then stopped a one on one attempt from substitute Kepha Aswani from inside the box.

Bandari threw in fleet-footed Joshua Oyoo for Hassan in an attempt to mantain pressure agianst a re-energized Sofapaka and this seemed to have worked as Yusuf Mohammed came to Sofa’s rescue from Oyoo’s looped ball clearing just inches off the line.

Yusuf Mohammed and Kepha Aswani were impressive in the final minutes in search of a consolation goal for Sofapaka but it was a clear heartbreak for Batoto Ba Mungu in the season opener.  

Source: http://futaa.com/article/145866/bandari-off-to-a-flying-start-thumps-sofapaka

STARTING

Mathias Kigonya
Willis Ouma
Yusuf Mohammed
Musa Omar
Rodgers Aloro
Kilume Mohammed
Kevin Kimani
Teddy Osok
Umaru Kasumba
Eli Kasieche
Stephen Waruru

SUBS

Emmanuel Opiyo, Vitalis Akumu, Kennedy Oduor,
Micheal Oduor, Kepha Aswani, Ezekiel Okare

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Player Status Committee has ruled that Sofapaka FC are the rightful owners of former Ulinzi Stars FC winger and 2017 club top scorer, Stephen Waruru Kiaritha.

Waruru was entangled in a Kenya Premier League (KPL) transfer scramble between the 2012 champions Tusker and 2009 winners Sofapaka with both claiming to have validly acquired the services of the former player who resigned from the Kenya Defence Forces to push for a move.

In a press statement availed to FKF Chief Executive Officer, Robert Muthomi said the Committee had overruled earlier communication from the federation secretariat to Sofapaka declaring Tusker as the rightful owners of Waruru.

Subsequently, FKF will investigate the conduct of the brewers in relation to engagement with players who are under contract with the intention of acquiring their services in what is now turning into a case of tapping up.

According to FKF, interested teams should seek release letters from parent teams because they are essential for correct registration of players and reaching contract agreements.

“Sofapaka engaged the parent club Ulinzi as per laid down procedures upon which a release letter was issued to the player,” stated Muthomi.

“The release letter is important because it opens the player to options to play for different teams without any case of double-signing appearing.

“Therefore, the agreement reached between Tusker and Waruru is null and void as it does not refer and relate to activities organized under Football Kenya Federation,” underscored Muthomi.

Waruru was named the SPL/SJAK Player of the Month for April 2017 and Ulinzi’s finest in June having won the KPL Golden Boot winner in 2012.

He returned from active KDF service at the beginning of last season and led the KPL scoring charts at the first half of the campaign as Ulinzi threatened a title charge before a listless second half saw them finish seventh on 48 points.

Waruru was at the centre of a storm in their top clash against champions Gor Mahia FC when he was accused of flashing the middle finger at the Green Army when he scored late to salvage a 2-2 draw at Afraha Stadium.

He was later acquitted of the charges but warned over his future conduct.

For Sofapaka, the die is cast as they open their 2018 Kenyan Premier League campaign against Bandari at Narok Stadium on Sunday.

For the whole of this week, Sofapaka who have arguably made the most remarkable signings this season have remained extremely bullish ahead of the new season with most players promising fire and brimstone.

Fast-rising budding players Samson Pius and Patterson Odongo who were elevated to the senior team from the junior ranks are both looking forward to the top tier league.

“I can hardly wait to rub shoulders with the seasoned players in the team and if I will get a chance to be fielded by Head Coach Sam Ssimbwa in the opening match against Bandari, I will give my all to make the team fans happy.  It was really amazing to be promoted to the senior team and this is a chance to prove what is up my sleeves,” said Pius.

On his part, Odongo’s sign language and sentiments told it all, saying:” Being promoted to the senior team comes with several challenges an expectations but I believe I’m up to the task. I think we are the team to beat in the 2018 KPL,”

In the meantime, Sofapaka may have lost resourceful players in Ugandan striker Ali Feni and defender Jonathan Mugabi, but be it as it may, the clubs has signed players who are capable of sending jitters to Bandari and any other opponent they will face in subsequent league matches.

For instance, the signing of Kepha Aswani, Elly Asieche, Ibrahim Kitawi and Kevin Kimani is currently the talk in town amongst football fans and these are among the players who Sofapaka will be looking upon to help the team get the desired results.

Sofapaka coach Sam Ssimbwa has urged his charges to remain focused ahead of the Bandari game.

“If we can pick all the three points against Bandari, it will give us the inspiration going forward. Bandari is a strong team but that does not mean we are not capable of beating them, In any case, we will be playing at home and as such, this I an advantage we will utilize to the fullest,” said Ssimbwa.

Sofapaka skipper Hillary Echesa said he is determined to help Sofapaka clinch the KPL title before hanging his boots later this year.

“The resolve and confidence are there and I would wish to leave a legacy worth emulating. Winning the league with Sofapaka will by my biggest achievement as I say Adios Amigos to the beautiful game” said Echesa.

Echesa is the most experienced player at Sofapaka having previously featured for Tanzania’s Yanga and Simba, among other clubs outside Kenya.

Sofapaka President Elly Kalekwa has said the club has no excuse not to win the league title going by the great signings the team made in the just concluded transfer window coupled by the motivation the management gives to players.

“There is absolutely no reason why we should not challenge for the title. Last year, the team wound up second in the league and should strive to go an extra mile to win the cup and I think that is not too much to ask, ”said Kalekwa.

The Congolese business magnate reiterated his earlier stance that he wants Sofapaka to be among the best clubs in Africa.

“We have the right players and if they can play according to the instructions of the coaches, I fail to see why we should not challenge the very best in Africa,”said Kalekwa.

Since mooting the Sofapaka monthly players’ awards last year, Kalekwa has won himself admiration from several KPL clubs who are now toying with the same idea in their quest to excel.

In a nutshell, motivation of players has been a buzz-word of Sofapaka lately, thanks to Kalekwa’s philanthropy.

In the meantime, Kalekwa has paid glowing tribute to the team’s sponsor Betika for their unswerving support but said the doors are still open to other corporate entities who want to support the team.

“Betika have been very supportive to us but that does not mean the door is closed to whoever wants to come in as co-sponsor,” said Kalekwa.  The door is open.

During the unveiling of new players in Eastleigh this week, Patricia Wachira, Marketing Manager Betika, who are Sofapaka sponsors, said the company is committed towards extending support to the team due to its exemplary performance last year.

“The great performance by the team is what has driven the company to continue supporting the team and we wish them a great season.

Team Coach Sam Ssimbwa said he expects a lot from the team which is a blend of youth and experience.