Sofapaka’s new left back Yusuf Mohammed has urged the club’s faithful not to judge his by his background in which his former team Muhoroni Youth was relegated from the Kenyan Premier League (KPL).

The swashbuckling defender said he believes he gave his all at Muhoroni Youth, hence the decision by Sofapaka Head Coach Sam Ssimbwa and his deputy John Baraza to bring him on board at Batoto Ba Mungu.

“Muhoroni Youth may have been relegated but that does not mean there were no good players in the team. It was a great honor to having been signed by Sofapaka and I want to reciprocate it with a good performance,” said Mohammed who will be celebrating his 24^thbirthday on July 24, 2018.

The highly disciplined player said his burning ambition is to steal the limelight at Sofapaka to be called up to the national team Harambee Stars.

“I have been craving to don the national team colours and I think shining at Sofapaka FC will provide such opportunity. I only hope that the team officials will give me chance to show just what stuff I’m made of,” said Yusuf. To the fans, u urge them to support us and we’ll not let them down,” quipped Yusuf.  

Indeed, Sofapaka technical bench officials were not ill-advised in enlisting the services of Yusuf as he formed an almost water-tight Muhoroni Youth’s backline together with Paul Muchika and Jacob Faina.

Yusuf is a former student of Kochia High School in Homabay County where he completed his O-Level education in 2011.

While at Kochia, he was involved in the off-season Alila Tournament with Homa Bay Allstars after which he was roped in by Muhoroni Youth.

In the meantime, Yusuf has urged Muhoroni Youth to strive to regain admission to the KPL.

“I think it was just a stroke of ill-luck that Muhoroni Youth were demoted to the National Super League.  For sure, Muhoroni is not a material for the second tier Kenyan league and I’m optimistic that they will revisit the big-time league next year,”

Yusuf joined Sofapaka after the expiry of his two-year contract with Muhoroni Youth.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 11- Former Kenyan Premier League champions Sofapaka will complete the signing of Zanzibar midfielder Abdul Aziz Makame in the next one week with the clubs already having agreed terms.

Batoto ba Mungu Chief Executive Officer, Emmanuel Kayoyi has revealed to Sofapaka Portal that only a few details of the transfer remain to be completed but the Jang’ombe FC player will don the blue and white of Sofapaka in the coming season.

“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,” Kayoyi said on Thursday.

Head coach Sam Ssimbwa also acknowledges he has been informed of the pending arrival of the 21-year old, though he admits he doesn’t know much 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.

Makame mesmerized during the recently concluding CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup where he played a starring role in Zanzibar’s run to the final, where they lost 3-1 on post-match penalties to Kenya’s Harambee Stars. He was however injured after 21 minutes of the final.

Several KPL clubs were said to be trailing his services with Gor Mahia having expressed a concrete desire to land his services, but were slowed down by the lack of opportunity within their foreign player quota. AFC Leopards had also shown interest.

Sofapaka, the 2009 league champions have already snapped up one outstanding player from the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup, having tied down Burundian centre back Mousa Omar to a two-year contract.

The club has also signed Western Stima utility 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 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.

“It is a good team, but I can’t say it is the strongest. The one I had in 2010/2011 was one of the best. In this one, we only have one national team player. In 2010 we had up to nine players. But we are working during the pre-season to gel and hopefully we can compete,” head coach Ssimbwa said.

Batoto ba Mungu kicks-off their 2018 KPL campaign at home against Bandari FC on February 4 at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.

He has been branded as an unsung hero and when he is in on top of his game, predatory strikers find it pretty hard to beat him between the posts.

24-year old goalkeeper Ian Otieno’s experience hit dizzying heights during his stints at Kenyan Premier League sides Posta Rangers and AFC Leopards and he now wants his new club Sofapaka to have a bite of the cherry in their quest to clinch the league title

“Yes, I have had experience playing at Ingwe and Rangers and I think it’s time Sofapaka also had the privilege to enjoy my services.

Otieno who is on a long term contract with Sofapaka after being offloaded by his immediate former club Leopards, underscored the need of Batoto Ba Mungu squad striving to protect the dignity of the team.

“Playing for a big club like Sofapaka is one thing and delivering quite another. I mean, all players are paid to play and are thus duty-bound to ensure Sofapaka is a force to reckon with in Kenya and outside its borders,” said Otieno.

That said, Otieno said he knows too well the challenges awaiting him given that Sofapaka has good custodians including first choice man Mathias Kigonya, youngster Reuben Juma and the newly signed Opiyo from Nairobi City Stars.

“I don’t expect things to be any easy, Look, Kigonya being the first choice goalie means he is good while the rest of the young men are coming up well. That means I have my work cut out in making the first team. But it is possible for a good measure if I work hard,” said Otieno.

The outgoing Otieno had a roller-coaster season with AFC Leopards which, he says, culminated into unceremonious parting of ways with the team but fails to go into details.

“It was not a send-off worth talking home about but let’s leave it at that. I wish Leopards the best of luck in their future endeavors,” said Otieno.

Otieno’s football career started at Chavakali High School where he played alongside current AFC Leopards midfield dynamo Duncan Otieno and former Oserian and Kakamega Homeboyz striker Griffin Amatala with the trio being part of the team that reached the Western provincial semi finals where they lost 1-0 to Kakamega High School’s Green Commandoes.

Otieno later joined Posta Rangers where he shone after which he was named in Harambee Stars where he earned his first cap during the Rwanda Genocide Memorial Tournament in Kigali in a 0-0 draw with the home team Amavubi. He has also played for the Kenya national under-23 team.

For Sofapaka, the team seems overly determined to be a cut above the rest in the 2018 Kenyan Premier League (KPL) in matters fitness.

Ever since Canadian Alistair Inglis was contracted as Batoto Ba Mungu’s strength and conditioning coach, fitness levels amongst the players have drastically improved and this could be the secret weapon of the team in their quest to win the league title.

Inglis is a Masters graduate of Sports Science at University of Jyvaskyla in Finland and his exceptional skills in conducting fitness levels at Sofapaka are thus least surprising.

For the past few weeks, Inglis has been inculcating training philosophy in close association with physical trainer Lionel Kwasi Diallo, Head Coach Sam Ssimbwa and his deputy John Baraza, which has left players yearning for more.

“I have developed systematic training programmes and exercise prescription to improve the performance of players. I determine the type, duration and frequency of the work-outs given that football involves heavy physical contact which puts players at risk of short and long term injuries.

An expert in fitness, Inglis has been working on cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, power and agility and reckons that he is happy to work with players who are willing to learn.

Said Inglis: “The response is amazing and if the dedication by players is anything to go by, Sofapaka players will be the fittest in the 2018 KPL,”

Inglis who worked part-time with National Super League (NSL) side KCB last year after a stint with Kisasa Sports Consultancy firm has a successful product in Sofapaka’s new signing Teddy Osok formerly of KCB.

“I worked with Osok at KCB and he is one of the fittest at the current Sofapaka squad. Others are quickly following in his footsteps and with time, they wil hit the purple patch as well,” explained Inglis.

He said he is glad to tutor robust players, the likes of Kepha Aswani, Stephen Waruru and Ibrahim Kitawi, adding that the advantage is that very little time is required to push the players fitness level to the required standards.

For now, Inglis is enjoying his time in Kenya and will soon be joined by his fiancée Sarah Perrine, a biologist who is based in USA.

“(Perrine) will be in Kenya in a month’s time and I want her to sample the good things in Kenya including watching one of the country’s top clubs Sofapaka in action,” said Inglis.

The success stories of his fellow countrymen who have previously played for Sofapaka was what goaded Burundian youngster Moussa Omar to sign for the team ahead of the 2018 Kenyan Premier League (KPL) season.

The tenacious 20-year-old defender who had an alluring performance with Burundi national team Intamba Murugamba, or Les Hirondelles, in the recently concluded Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup said he cannot wait to follow the legacy of the likes of fleet-footed striker Fistone Abdul Razak.

“I used to hear of the players’ exploits with Sofapaka when I was a little bit younger and I was determined to follow in their footsteps. As fate would have it, I’m now at Sofapaka and all I want is to make the club better than I found it,” said Omar.

Besides Razak, other Burundian players who have had stints with Sofapaka are Fuadi Ndayisenga and Steve Niziyagambo.

In the meantime, Omar who is creating landmark moments and is maturing at a quicker rate in Burundian football, believes he is capable of forming one of the most solid Sofapaka rearguards in the 2018 KPL.

“From what I have seen, Sofapaka’s defence is strong but we can make it even more stronger to make life difficult for opposing strikers,” said Omar who was fast-tracked to Burundi national senior team after serving as captain in the under-20 outfit.

Powerful both in the ground and air and blessed with a lot of panache, Omar who is on a two-year contract at Sofapaka is versatile enough to operate in any defensive position.

“I’m a central defender but I believe I have the capacity to operate in both right and left-back positions,” said Omar who added mental fortitude to his game in the Cecafa Championships in which Burundi reached the semi finals.

Always composed and assured even when his team is under pressure, Omar’s football career started in Burundian capital Bujumbura where he first joined Inter Stars before he was snapped by Flambo De C’est FC.

He later joined Abuja City FC (no relations to a Nigerian city) before joining Atletico whom he later ditched for his immediate former club Bugesera.

At Bugesera, he played alongside key talents like Mwemere Ngirinshuti who was signed from Rwanda Police, Aimable “Mambo”Rucogoza and Yves Mwanishimwe.

Bugesera wound up fifth in theb 2016/2017 Azam Rwanda Premier League behind AS Kigali, APR, Police and eventual champions Rayon Sport. 
During the season, Bugesera’s defence was the meanest as they let in only 22 goals.

Big-spending Sofapaka are contemplating dropping one of their five foreign players to accommodate Burundian central defender Moussa Omar who has signed a two-year deal with the team.

Sofapaka’s Head Coach Sam Ssimbwa hinted at off-loading one of the five Ugandan imports in the team to be complaint with the mandatory five required in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) rules, after the acquisition of Omar.

However, Ssimbwa pointed out that it will be a mind-boggling affair to cut down on the composition of the foreign players at Sofapaka’s playing unit given their great input and selfless service to the club ever since they were roped in KPL 2017 mid-season transfer window.

“It will be a hard and painful decision to make but it’s prudent since we want to be tractable with the laid down rules and regulations governing the KPL league,” said Ssimbwa.

Batoto Ba Mungu’s current foreign legion include goalkeeper Mathias Kigonya, Rodgers Aloro and Jonathan Mugabi (both defenders) and strikers Feni Ali and Umaru Kasumba.

The impending purge at Batoto Ba Mungu is most likely to affect defenders given that Moussa Omar plays in a similar position where he has excelled both at his immediate former club Bugusera FC and the Burundian national team.

The signing of Omar, who was a gem for Burundi in last year’s Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup in Kenya, brings to seven the number of players signed by Sofapaka ahead of the 2018 KPL.

Earlier, Sofapaka who have spent a fortune on player signings had acquired the signatures of Western Stima defender Vitalis Akumu, Nairobi City Stars goalkeeper Emmanuel Opiyo, Stephen Waruru of Ulinzi Stars and Nakumatt’s dazzling striker Kepha Aswani.

Other new faces include Kariobangi Sharks duo of Ibrahim Kitawi and Eli Asieche as well as Jackson Saleh who has been club-less ever since leaving Western Stima.

Speaking on the new development, Ssimbwa said it is geared towards getting the best out of the team in its quest to win the 2018 KPL.

“We have made marquee signings ostensibly to increase depth in the squad as we explore ways on how we will wind up the 2018 league second to none,” said Ssimbwa.

The signing of ex-Western Stima man Vitalis Akumu by Sofapaka has been described as Go-sent in the Batoto Ba Mungu’s camp.

Why?’: The Kakamega High School (Green Commandoes) product  boasts a rare virtue of being a utility player and his performance at Stima was there for all to see.

“I may be mistaken for a braggart bit I want to categorically point out that I can play in any position. That is Akumu for you and if I get a chance in Sam Ssimbwa’s line-up, I will make Sofapaka fans a happy lot,” said Akumu.

Akumu was in the crack Green Commandoes squad  that won the national finals in 2014 after a 1-0 win over Kisumu Day at Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega, having joined Western Stima a year earlier while in Form 3.

The affable player said at KPL, he is looking forward to renewing acquaintance with his former teammates at Commandoes who contributed to the victory among them Haroun Nyakha (ex-AFC Leopards), Alphonse Ndonye (Mathare United), Crouch Okumu (Chemelil Sugar and even Georgia-based Eric “Marcelo” Ouma when he is summoned for national team duties.

Now that he has joined Sofapaka, Akumu says the sky is the limit.

“Niko hapa kucheza ball na sitazamii  lingine ila kushinda ligi na Sofapaka.

“I’m here to play football and I don’t anticipate anything short of winning the league title with Sofapaka,” said Akumu.

Sofapaka goalkeepers trainer George Wambugu has said the club may be spoiled for choice in picking the first choice glove-man due to the stiff competition in training.

Wambugu is currently burning the midnight oil putting Mathias Kigonya, Reuben Juma and the club’s new signing from Nairobi City Stars, Emmanuel Opiyo under intensive drills and is quick to point out that the trio is up to the task.

“For sure, the three goalkeepers have given their all in training and I must say that whoever will be considered for duties will do well. I have conducted drills including saving at tight angles and penalties and I’m totally satisfied,” said Wambugu.

Since joining Sofapaka, Ugandan-born Kigonya has been the first choice custodian of Sofapaka and it was least surprising when was nominated for the Sports Journalists of Kenya (SJAK) award last month although he did not make the cut for the accolades.

In the meantime, 22-year-old Opiyo who is one of the youngest of the three Sofapaka goalkeepers has attributed his meteoric rise to the polished coaching by Wambugu.

“Wambugu is a goalkeeping coach per excellence as I have a learned more from him. Since joining Sofapaka ranks, I keep on working hard and hopefully, I should be incorporated in the team’s starting line – up sooner rather than later,” said Opiyo.

On his part, Wambugu, a former national women team Harambee Starlets goalkeepers’ trainer, said he is glad to work with custodians who are willing to learn, adding that the sky is the limit for all of them.

“My work is made easier because all the three goalkeepers are thirsting to shine. I think the goalkeeping department is one of the best at Sofapaka as we speak,” said Wambugu.

At only 22 years of age, Sofapaka’s new signing Emmanuel Opiyo is already dreaming of becoming Kenya’s greatest goalkeepers of all times.

Opiyo said the aspirations is not too much to ask having gained invaluable experience at National Super League (NSL) side Nairobi City Stars from where Batoto Ba Mungu plucked him on a two-deal.

“The NSL is as equally challenging as the KPL and I learned quite a lot in goalkeeping during my stint with City Stars. I’m overly eager to apply what I learned at mu new club and hopefully, I should be one of the best goalkeepers in Kenya,” said Opiyo.

He however, reckons that he will be forced to work extremely hard to to be better than Sofapaka first choice shot-stopper Mathias Kigonya and substitute Reuben Juma.

These guys (Kigonya and Juma) have been around for a little bit longer and common sense dictates that I should work pretty hard to be a notch higher than them. It won’t be easy but it’s possible,” said Opiyo during Sofapaka’s morning work-outs at Eastleigh High School.

Opiyo cut a niche for himself when he excelled at Busia High School and it was least surprising when Sofapaka enlisted his services after he completed his O-Level education.

He upped his game in goalkeeping and surprisingly rose quickly through the ranks to de deployed the first choice custodian at City Stars with Victor Onyango and Emmanuel Odhiambo his understudies.

A calm and composed player who is known for his acrobatic saves, Opiyo says he can’t wait to help Sofapaka clinch the 2018 KPL.

“Sofapaka is a big brand and all the players have the responsibility to safeguard its dignity.  If I shine, I know it will open doors for many opportunities which include playing in the European leagues. I want to prove just what stuff I’m made of in the domestic league scene,” saiid Opiyo.

In the meantime, Kigonya has tipped Opiyo to achieve greater things at the club.

“The boy is a go-getter and if he continues with the spirit, he will be the next big thing in as far as goalkeeping is concerned,” remarked Kigonya.

When he declared his intention to join Sofapaka, immediate former Kariobangi Sharks midfielder Ibrahim Kitawi sent tongues wagging.

Considered one of the best offensive midfielders in the country, Kitawi was expected to ditch Sofapaka for probably a bigger club in Europe.

But the 28-year-old journey-man had already made his mind as pertains’ to his destiny and subsequently chose Sofapaka above any other local club that had expressed interest in bringing him on board.

“I made the right choice to join Sofapaka which is one of the most ambitious and illustrious clubs in the country. I’m here to help them win titles although the bottom line lies in working hard to achieve that,” said Kitawi.

Having previously featured for multiple KPL champions Gor Mahia as well as Bandari, Nakumatt and Sharks, Kitawi believes he has the requisite experience to add the much needed impetus in Sofapaka’s midfield.

“As I said before, working hard is paramount to all the Sofapaka players and the fans should just support us and the desired results shall come,” said Kitawi who has already impressed the team’s Head Coach Sam Ssimbwa and his deputy John Baraza during training.

“I and Baraza made a sober recruitment and I’m glad that most of the new signings have demonstrated that they have what it takes to play for a team of Sofapaka’s calibre,” said Ssimbwa after overseeing training at Eastleigh High School ground.

Kitawi becomes the second former Kariobangi Sharks player to join Batoto Ba Mungu’s ranks after Elly Esieche with both players penning two-year deals.

Kitawi’s football talent was noticeable as early as when he was a High School student at Nairobi Milimani where he played alongside Paul Were and Kevin Omondi.

He was in the Milimani squad that reached the Nairobi provincial Secondary Schools finals in 2006 where the team fell 1-0 to Jamhuri High School.