Category: News

NEW MIDFIELD ENFORCER KIMANI HOPING TO SHINE BRIGHTLY

Sofapaka’s latest signing in midfield dynamo Kevin Kimani is desirous to help the team reclaim the title that has eluded the team since 2009.

Kimani said in no uncertain terms that he is at Batoto Ba Mungu to add impetus in the team’s playing format although he reckons that it won’t be easy due to the competition in various positions including midfield.

“I have traversed various teams and have the experience but I do not expect things to be any easy for me since there is great depth in Sofapaka. In other words, I have to work extremely hard to win the trust of the team handlers and get a starting position,” said Kimani.

The central midfielder is deemed by many as a potential vital cog in Sofapaka’s midfield but downplays this observation.

‘I’m just an ordinary player but what is most important is the support I will get from my teammates. This is the bottom line going forward and if we achieve that, Sofapaka is destined for good tidings including winning the league,” said Kimani who was among the 12 new players Sofapaka unveiled at Eastleigh High School on Thursday.

Kimani began his career in Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) before joining Mathare United.

He then left Kenyan football and proceeded to Belgium in 2012 where he joined Third Division side Bocholter.

Kimani was then lured by Greek club Fostiras making nine appearances and later headed to Jomo Cosmos of South Africa before relocating to Kenya where he joined Tusker then AFC Leopards.

In 2017, after only a few weeks at Leopards, Kimani joined Saudi Arabia First Division side Al Hazam and terminated his contract with the team on June 4.

Sofapaka coach Sam Ssimbwa described Kimani as a talented player but was quick to add that he needs the right training to be in the right cord.

“He is a player every coach would wish to have in his squad and if he can demonstrate what we will teach him, he will be up there in terms of standards,” said Ssimbwa.

Double blow for Tusker as FKF clears duo

Tusker FC has been dealt a major blow after Football Kenya Federation (FKF)  Players’ Status Committee overruled an earlier communication pertaining ownership of Lawrence Juma and Stephen Waruru who have since signed for Gor Mahia and Sofapaka respectively.

The Brewers had claimed ownership of Juma a former Nzoia midfielder and Waruru formerly with Ulinzi Stars. The two players were reportedly heading to Tusker before changing their minds and opted to sign for Gor Mahia and Sofapaka respectively. Tusker then reported the matter to FKF which was later forwarded to the players’ Status Committee.

On Lawrence Juma, FKF’s verdict was; 

  1. Tusker FC contract is invalid as it does not refer and relate to activities organized under Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and therefore any agreement made between the club and the player is null and void.
  2. That Gor Mahia engaged the parent club Nzoia Sugar FC as per the laid down procedures upon which a release letter was issued to the player  who presented it to Gor Mahia FC for his registration and subsequently his contract agreement and are therefore the rightful owners of the player.
  3. That FKF investigate the conduct of Tusker FC in relation of how it engages with players who are under contracts with other clubs with an intention of acquiring their services. 
  4. The committee overruled the earlier communication FKF secretariat to Gor Mahia FC that had declared Tusker FC as the rightful owner of the player.

On Waruru, Players’ Status Committee read; 

  1. Tusker FC contract is invalid as it does not refer and relate to activities organized under Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and therefore any agreement made between the club and the player is null and void. 
  2. That Sofapaka FC engaged the parent club Ulinzi Stars as per the laid down procedures upon which a release letter was issued to the player who presented it to Gor Mahia FC for his registration and subsequently his contract agreement and are therefore the rightful owners of the player. 
  3. That FKF investigate the conduct of Tusker FC in relation of how it engages with players who are under contracts with other clubs with an intention of acquiring their services. 
  4. The committee overruled the earlier communication FKF secretariat to Sofapaka FC that had declared Tusker FC as the rightful owner of the player.

 

SOFAPAKA TEST POLICE IN THIRD PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY

After settling to a barren draw with KCCA of Uganda in a friendly last Friday, Sofapaka takes battle to National Super League (NSL) side Kenya Police FC in another build-up match at Eastleigh High School ground on Wednesday, January 31, 2017.

This will be the last pre-season friendly before Batoto Ba Mungu launches their Kenyan Premier League (KPL) campaign against Bandari this weekend.

Already, Sofapaka have played two pre-season friendlies against Kangemi United winning 3-0 and drawing 0-0 with Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA)
Sofapaka coach Sam Ssimbwa who is trying different formations will be trying to come up with a starting line-up ahead of the KPL besides giving new players playing time to gauge their strength.

Ssimbwa said he will use the match against Police to correct a few mistakes he noticed during the match against Ugandan champions KCCA.

“Although the team played well, there were a few frailties I noticed which need rectification. I want all the departments to click before we launch our campaign in the 2018 KPL,” said Ssimbwa.

The friendly match against Sofapaka as well as the previous ones against Gor Mahia, AFC Leopards and Tusker also proved vital for KCCA who used them as build up before meeting Madagascar club CNaPs in the preliminary round first leg of the Africa Champions League in Malagasy capital Antananarivo next week.

Save for injured Kepha Aswani, all the new players are expected to taste action against the NSL nondescripts.

INJURED ASWANI SET FOR RECOVERY BEFORE 2018 KPL

Sofapaka technical bench has allayed fears of the team’s international striker Kepha Aswani having a prolonged stay out of action due to a knee injury.

The teams; Technical Director Martin Ndagano said the injury was not serious and expressed optimism that Aswani will be up and about before the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) kicks off this weekend.

“Aswani is going through professional therapy and hopefully, he should be fully fit before our opening 2018 KPL match against Bandari. Injuries are normal during training and Aswani will be 100 percent fit before we meet the dockers,” said Ndagano.

Aswani, one of Sofapaka’s high quality January signings, did not train with the team yesterday, January 29, 2018, as he is still going through therapy.

Due the injury, Aswani did not play a part in Sofapaka’s international friendly against Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA) of Uganda in Narok last week and which ended in a barren draw.

The former, Thika United, AFC Leopards and Nakumatt will also be missing in action when Sofapaka takes on National Super League (NSL) side Kenya Police in their third pre-season friendly match at Eastleigh High School ground on Wednesday.

In the meantime, Sofapaka coach Sam Ssimbwa said he will use the match against Police to correct a few mistakes he noticed during the match against Ugandan champions KCCA.

“Although the team played well, there were a few frailties I noticed which need rectification. I want all the departments to click before we launch our campaign in the 2018 KPL,” said Ssimbwa.

The friendly match against Sofapaka as well as the previous ones against Gor Mahia, AFC Leopards and Tusker also proved vital for KCCA who used them as build up before meeting Madagascar club CNAPs in the preliminary round first leg of the Africa Champions League in Malagasy capital Antananarivo next week.

EXCEPTIONAL JUNIOR SOFAPAKA PLAYERS ELEVATED TO SENIOR RANKS

Sofapaka Junior team is increasingly proving as a trusted reservoir of talent after two of the team’s players got a chance to brush shoulders with the senior lot.
Pius Samson and Patterson Odongo have both been elevated to the senior team and are striving to impress Head Coach Sam Ssimbwa and his deputy John Baraza to get play-time.
‘The two players were among our stand-out performers last year and I’m not surprised that they have been summoned to train with the senior side.  I would wish to advise them to work extremely hard and get play-time, said the youth team Head Coach Edward Munandi.
In the meantime, schoolboy Duncan Okoth alongside Timothy Ngugi, Mike Mugite, Rashid Nyonga and James Macharia have yet to report to the youth team’s pre-season training.
While Okoth, a student at Parklands Secondary School, is held back by his studies, the rest of the players have already communicated that they will link up with the squad latest Friday, January 27, 2018.
Coach Munandi is currently preoccupied in instilling endurance and speed ahead of the new season.
Munandi said the players are gelling well and can only get better as the 2018 KPL County League approaches.
Sofapaka Youth wound up fourth overall in the 2017 League and will be seeking for improved fortunes this year.
Meanwhile, plans are underway to have the team play in a pre-season friendly.

SOFAPAKA SET TO COMPLETE DEAL FOR ZANZIBAR ACE

Sofapaka are set to complete the signing of Zanzibar midfielder Abdul Aziz Makame next week.

Sofapaka President Elly Kalekwa has revealed to Sofapaka Portal that talks are at an advanced stage and that the Zanzibar star is expected in the country in the coming week to sign a contract.

“There’s no problem  at all and we’ll finalise the deal next week,” Kalekwa added.

Kalekwa, who did not divulge more information about the talks, is confident that Makame’s capture will be of great addition to the team’s title ambitions this season.

“If a team finishes second, the only other option you have is to win it (title) the following year. Everyone here wants the title. We have the thirst to win the league this year.

“We have strengthened weak areas that made us miss the title last season and I can say that we have the best squad in the league this season. That’s why we are signing top players. Be sure of this, he’s coming to Sofapaka.”

Makame attracted the interest of Batoto ba Mungu during the 2017 Cecafa Senior Challenge while featuring for Zanzibar Heroes and He joins Sofapaka who finished second behind Gor Mahia last season.

SSIMBWA ELATED AT SOFAPAKA INPUT IN KANGEMI FRIENDLY MATCH

Sofapaka’s Uganda coach Sam Ssimbwa has expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance during their 3-0 win over FKF super league side Kangemi United in a friendly match at Eastleigh High School grounds last Thursday.

However, Ssimbwa stated that there are a few grey areas which need improvement before the team’s second pre-season training against Uganda champions KCCA at Narok County Stadium on January 26.

“The new signings demonstrated a lot of maturity against Kangemi United but we need to work on several departments to make Sofapaka 100 percent. The upcoming match against KCCA will give a glimpse on what Sofapaka will offer in the upcoming Kenyan Premier League,” said Ssimbwa

During the friendly, Sofapaka found the target through Umaru Kasumba, Ezekiel Okare and Teddy Osok.

Among the new Sofapaka players who had a taste of action in the match against Kangemi were Kepha Aswani, Ibrahim Kitawi, Stephen Waruru and Osok.

Ssimbwa, himself a former KCCA coach, said he knows the Ugandan club like the back of his hand, adding that he has devised a strategy to tame them.

“KCCA is a good team and which thrives in individual talent, but I know their weak points and this is what we will take advantage of. Playing against Uganda champions will be good for us moving forward,” said Ssimbwa.

 Ssimbwa was scheduled to watch KCCA in action against KPL champions  Gor Mahia in the first of the team’s friendly at the Afraha Stadium in Nakuru on Saturday, January 20, 2017.

SOFAPAKA ROBUSTNESS AGAINST UGANDAN AND SUDANESE SIDES

Former Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions Sofapaka have lined up two top drawer friendly matches – against Ugandan champions KCCA and Sudanese giants Al Hilal – as part of their pre-season activity.

KCCA, who are in the country to face Kenyan champions Gor Mahia in a Saturday 20 January friendly game, will afterwards take on Sofapaka at the Narok Stadium in Narok on Friday 26January, head coach Sam Ssimbwa has confirmed.

Ssimbwa, a former KCCA coach is confident his charges will gain well from the friendly match and having finished the KPL 2017 season second to Gor Mahia, he notes that the game serves as a part of a preseason regime aimed at ensuring the team goes to the 2018 campaign in top form.

“KCCA is a strong team and they have a big profile in this region. To play them in preseason is an important part of our preparations and from it and more plans we have in the coming few days I hope we can head to the new season very fit,” he told Sofapaka portal.

The following Wednesday on 31st January, the 2009 KPL champions will take on the Sudanese side at the Narok County Stadium, another game Ssimbwa hopes his charges will gain massively from.

“Al Hilal is among the big teams in the continent and with new players in my team, what better way can we get to help them gel ahead of the season than taking on the big teams around? We will definitely gain a lot from this game just like the KCCA one.

“We are really working hard in training and after this clash I believe we will be ready for the new season,” he added.

Sofapaka will be opening their 2018 campaign against Bandari FC on Sunday 4 February. Last season, the team drew with Bandari 1 – 1 at home in the first leg before beating the Mombasa side 2 – 1 away in the second leg.

COACH SSIMBWA GIVES TIPS TO FOREIGN LEGION

Sofapaka Head Coach Sam Ssimbwa has urged the club’s new signing from Burundi Omar Moussa to give his all during his two-year contract with Batoto Ba Mungu.
Ssimbwa reiterated the need of Omar, who has been plying his trade with Bugasera FC of Rwanda, to try to adapt to the tough Kenyan Premier League (KPL).
“Rwandese league is not as much involving as the KPL and this is why I urge the boy to work extremely hard to get used to the rigors of the latter competition,” said Ssimba.
Added Ssimbwa: ”In fact, Kenyan Premier League is one of the toughest in Africa, which requires players’ to be dedicated to achieve success. There could be instances where you can sign a foreign player and he flops and we dont want it to happen at Sofapaka,”
On the same breathe, Ssimbwa said he is glad to have some foreign players who shine with their teams and reciprocate the same in Kenya, giving an example of Sofapaka’s talismanic Ugandan striker Umaru Kasumba.
“Kasumba shone brightly in Ugandan league and he has been doing the same in Kenya. These are some of the qualities I need from all the foreign players who have been enlisted at Sofapaka,” said Ssimbwa.
On his part, Omar said he will be leaving nothing to chance in making Sofapaka proud this season.
“I know expectations are high and will play to the best of my ability and all I need is total fan support,” said Omar who was a revelation for Burundi national team during the Cecafa Senior Challenge held in Kenya last month.
Omar, a central defender is one of Sofapaka’s latest marquee signings alongside Kepha Aswani, Ibrahim Kitawi, Stephen Waruru and Ian Otieno.

Sofapaka Lands Makame As Their Final Signing

2009 KPL Champions, Sofapaka FC are self-assured of securing the services of Zanzibar midfielder Abdul Aziz Makame in the next one week, a signing that would be their last of the January transfer window.

Speaking to the club’s portal, Batoto ba Mungu Chief Executive Officer, Emmanuel Kayoyi revealed that negotiations have been ongoing between them and Jangòmbe FC, with only few details remaining before Makame becomes a Sofapaka player.

“We have been talking to the club for a while now and we are almost coming to an agreement. The talks are positive and I am certain we will land the player. He will be our final signing of the January window,” said Kayoyi.

Makame attracted interest from several Kenyan clubs following his impressive displays in the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup where Zanzibar lost narrowly to hosts Harambee Stars on post-match penalties in the finals of the competition.

 

On his part, head coach Sam Ssimbwa admitted that he does not know the 21 year-old so well but has received very satisfactory comments about him.

“I didn’t have the privilege of watching CECAFA and so I didn’t see much of him. But my fellow coaches did watch him and the report I get is that he is a very good player and will be a very good addition to the team,” Ssimbwa said.

Sofapaka have moved with speed to beef up their squad in a bid to challenge current champions Gor Mahia FC and other able clubs for the 2018 Kenyan Premier League (KPL) title.

Players that have already committed themselves to wearing the blue and white jersey include Western Stima utility man Vitalis Akumu, left-back Yussuf Mohammed from Muhoroni Youth, former AFC Leopards keeper Ian Otieno, Kariobangi Sharks duo of Ibrahim Kitawi and Elli Asieche, Jackson Saleh, strikers Stephen Waruru and Kepha Aswani as well as midfielder Teddy Osok who is on loan from Gor Mahia.

Meanwhile, the club has released Ugandan defender Jonathan Mugabi, Sam Mutiria, Hansel Ochieng and George Opiyo while forward Morven Otinya has been shipped out on a season-long loan deal to Nzoia Sugar.