Throw-ins are small but crucial moments in a soccer game as they present an opportunity to a to player maintain possession of the ball, capitalize on a turnover or – unfortunately – lose possession of the ball.

As such, the throw-in is one of the most fundamental skills in soccer. Add to this the fact that many players ignore the development of throw-in skills, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster.

Remember Harambee Stars’ legendary throw-in specialists Henry “Ndovu” Motego and Tobias “Jua Kali” Ocholla?.

Well, Sofapaka’s defence stalwart Wesley Onguso has picked a cue from Motego and Ocholla and is currently the talk in the ongoing CECAFA Senior Challenge in matters ball throw-ins.

So incisive is Onguso in the throw-ins that his attempts almost resulted into Harambee Stars scoring twice against the Mediterranean Knights of Libya and once against Zanzibar’s Heroes.

During Stars’ match against Knights which ended in barren draw, one of Onguso’s throw-ins was almost converted by George “Blackberry” Odhiambo who was lurking in the opponents’ 18-yard box.  

Although Onguso is not gifted with a huge frame like Motego or Ocholla, the manner in which he is executing throw-ins at the opponents goalmouth in the Cecafa Championships has left no doubt that he is skilled in this art.

During Harambee Stars match against Zanzibar at Kenyatta Stadium which ended in a barren draw, a Tanzanian fan was heard remarking how Onguso has exceptional skills in throw-ins.

“Huyu jamaa sio mzaha. Mipira yake arusha kama mashuti na Zanzibar wasipojihadhari watabeba gunia la mabao,”

Loosely translated the statement meant:” This guy (Onguso) is not a joke. His throw-ins are like kicks and if Zanzibar are not careful they will soak in a bagful of goals,” said the overly observant fan.

Sofapaka coach Sam Ssimbwa and the club’s first choice goalkeeper Mathias Kigonya are among the nominees in the best tactician and goalkeeper categories respectively at the Sports Journalists of Kenya (SJAK) awards gala to be held next Monday.

Ssimbwa will battle it for the awards with four other coaches including Mike Mururi (Kakamega Homeboyz), Bernard Mwalala (Nzoia Sugar) and Sammy Omollo (Posta Rangers).

Ssimbwa is credited with turning round the fortunes of Sofapaka who were on the brink of elimination from the 2016 KPL before the team made a massive improvement in 2017 by winding up second.

In the meantime, Kigonya has been shortlisted in the goalkeepers awards and will be challenged by Boniface Okluoch (Gor Mahia), Jeff Oyemba (Kzsriobangi Sharks) and Patrick Matasi (Posta Rangers) for the ultimate prize.

 The honours will go towards high achievers in various departments in the just concluded SPL which was won by Gor Mahia.

The gala will have eight categories including Golden Glove, Defender Of The Year, Midfielder Of The Year, Golden Boot Winner, Most Valuable Player, Young/New Player, Coach Of The Year and a special category dubbed SJAK Award.

SJAK in conjunction with partners will hold an end of year football gala on the night of December 18 at Jacaranda Hotel in Westlands to award the top performers.

South Korean manufactures LG Electronics will take a central role in the awards as the title sponsors.

Nominees at a glance

Goalkeepers:

1. Patrick Matasi (Posta Rangers)
2. David Juma (Kakamega Homeboyz)
3. Mathias Kigonya (Sofapaka)
4. Jeff Oyemba (Kariobangi Sharks)
5. Boniface Oluoch (Gor Mahia)

Defenders:

1. Charles Momanyi (KK Homeboyz)
2. Musa Mohamed (Gor Mahia)
3. Godfrey Walusimbi (Gor Mahia)
4. Haron Shakava (Gor Mahia)
5. Jockins Atudo (Posta Rangers)
6. Christopher Oruchum (Thika United)
7. Pascal Ogweno  (Kariobangi Sharks)
8. Karim Nzigiyimana (Gor Mahia)

Midfielders:

1. Sven Yida (Kariobangi Sharks)
2. Lawrence Juma (Nzoia Sugar)
3. Michael Madoya (Zoo FC)
4. Chrispinus Oduor (Mathare United)
5. George Odhiambo (Gor Mahia)
6. Ernest Wendo (Gor Mahi)a
7. Kenneth Muguna (Gor Mahia)
8. Humphrey Mieno (Tusker)

Young/New Player of The Year

1. Nicholas Kipkirui (Zoo fc)
2. Faraj Omind (Chemelil Sugar)
3. Shafan Oyugi (Chemelil Sugar)
4. Clinton Kisiavuki (Nakumatt)
5. Chris Ochieng  Mathare United
6. Vincent Oburu (AFC Leopards)
7. Michael Kibwage (AFC Leopards)
8. Brian Otieno (Nzoia Sugar)

Most Valuable Player

1. Meddie Kagere (Gor Mahia)
2. Masoud Jum (Kariobangi Sharks)
3. Musa Mohamed (Gor Mahia)
4. Kenneth Muguna (Gor Mahia)
5. Lawrence Juma (Nzoia Sugar)
6. Patrick Matasi (Posta Rangers)
7. Jacques Tuyisenge (Gor Mahia)
8. George Odhiambo  (Gor Mahia)

Coach Of The Year

1. William Muluya (Kariobangi Sharks)
2. Mike Mururi (Kakamega Homeboyz)
3. Sam Ssimbwa (Sofapaka)
4. Sammy Omolo (Posta Rangers)
5. Bernard Mwalala (Nzoia Sugar)

Sofapaka scoring sensation Umaru Kasumba is elated at the prospects of partnering new signing Stephen Waruru in the team’s striking force.

“I understand that my employers have brought on board Waruru and I must say this is one of the best things to have happened at Sofapaka,” said Kasumba in a phone conversation from his native Uganda where he is on Christmas and New Year holidays.

He added: “Waruru is undoubtedly one of the best players in the Kenyan Premier League and It is my utmost belief that he will add value to Sofapaka’s goal hunt in the team’s quest to clinch the 2018 title.

Kasumba said he can’t wait to partner the former Ulinzi Stars man in Batoto Ba Mungu’s search for goals next year.

“He (Waruru) is a dribbler per excellence and has an eye for goal and hopefully, we will form a striking partnership that will send chills down the spines of our opponents next season. May I take this early opportunity to congratulate Sofapaka President Elly Kalekwa and the rest of the team’s management for this big signing,” said Kasumba.

The signing of Waruru now gives Sofapaka coach Sam Ssimbwa several options in the team’s attacking line which also incorporates Kasumba, Ali Feni and Ezekiel Okare.

In the meantime, Kasumba has hinted that he has turned down several offers from various clubs in Uganda and has opted to stick with Sofapaka until the expiry of his contract at the end of KPL 2018 season.

Kasumba categorically pointed out that he was not interested in playing in Uganda and would rather venture into a career outside the country.

“I have said it before that my football career will end elsewhere and not in Uganda. All I want is more challenges which I’m already getting at Sofapaka,” Kasumba said.

On his remarks on what is viewed as being overlooked in the Uganda national team, The Cranes, for the ongoing Senior Challenge Cup, Kasumba said he read politics in the whole issue.

“Honestly, there are a lot of politics in Ugandan football. The failure by the national team selectors to summon me for the Cecafa duties is not making me have sleepless nights. As for now, I’m comfortable playing at Sofapaka,” quipped Kasumba.

Sofapaka’s forward-line is set for what is arguably the biggest renaissance ever after the club roped in Ulinzi Stars scoring machine Stephen Waruru.

According to a Sofapaka club official, Waruru has penned a two-year deal with Sofapaka in a deliberate move aimed at reclaiming the title which the team last won in 2009.

The development easily makes Waruru one of the biggest purchases by Sofapaka ever since the team brought on board thirteen players during the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) 2017 transfer window.

Waruru plundered 13 goals in 19 games for Ulinzi Stars during the just concluded 2017 KPL and is expected to add steel in Sofapaka’s forward line that pumped 48 goals in 34 matches during the season.  

Waruru had earlier kept football fans guessing over his next destiny since quitting Ulinzi Stars amidst speculations that that he was either headed for Tusker or Gor Mahia.

But Sofapaka President put to rest the grapevine after he announced that the club had lured Waruru into their ranks.

“Yes, we have roped in Waruru who is one of the country’s top strikers. As I said before, what is paramount in our operations is to make Sofapaka second to none in the forthcoming season and even beyond.

Kalekwa added: “We wound up in a respectable second position in the 2017 KPL season but we should not be contented with that and have to go an extra mile to become champions next year. The idea here is to win the league with several matches to spare as Gor Mahia did in the just concluded season,”

Kalekwa who has pumped millions towards the sustainability of Sofapaka said it is a journey the Batoto Ba Mungu family would wish to walk together and urged the players to make the sky the limit.

2017 SportPesa Premier League (SPL) runners-up Sofapaka start their 2018 campaign against Bandari at Kenyatta Stadium on February 4 in Machakos from 2.00pm.

This will be the first match of the double header in Machakos with the second pitting Posta Rangers against AFC Leopards at4.15 pm.

Sofapaka’s second match of the new season will be on February 10, 2018 against Kakamega Homeboyz at Mumias Complex from 3.00 pm.

Batoto Ba Mungu will then launch their campaign in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) Top 8 Tournament  where they are pitted against AFC Leopards at Narok sub county Stadium on February 8.

Although Sofapaka are up against teams which they have prevailed over before, the teams’ deputy coach John Baraza has declared that they will tread carefully.

“Last year, we were above Leopards, Kakamega Homeboyz and Leopards in the pecking order of the KPL but we ought to give them due respect since they are also strong sides. The most important thing for us is to continue working hard to keep the bar high,” said Baraza.

He added: “We want to come back in the league in a big way and if we managed to wind up second in the just concluded Kenyan Premier League, I don’t see why we should not go an extra mile and bag the crown that has eluded us since 2009,”

Baraza said that Sofapaka’s course in the forthcoming assignments will be greatly hinged on the players they shall enlist.

“We are shopping around for the best signings and hopefully, we should be able to challenge for the top honours in the upcoming season,” said Baraza.

Sofapaka players are currently on Christmas and New Years vacation and shall resume training after the end of the festive period.

 

Sofapaka who wound up in the second position in the 2017 Kenyan Premier League (KPL) can be compared to the proverbial phoenix which rose from the ashes of incarceration.

Batoto Ba Mungu grappled with several challenges which include starting the season from scratch after overhauling their entire squad and the unprecedented threat of being demoted to the second tier league over the contentious CAF Club Licensing rules.

Granted, it was the CAF Licensing rules that offered the biggest ever challenge to Sofapaka as Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has declared without batting an eyelid that all KPL clubs which were non compliant would be demoted to the National Super League.  

The decision to wield the axe on the KPL sides by the federation was the latest intriguing development in the composition of the 2017 top flight and which sent tongues wagging.

Luckily, Sofapaka and the rest of the teams filed a case and were readmitted to KPL by the High Court, but not before Batoto Ba Mungu handlers said that they had read mischief in the earlier decision by FKF to clamp down on defaulters of the rules.

Earlier Sofapaka President Elly Kalekwa had declared that the team, which he has bankrolled single handedly since its formation in 2008, would not go down without a fight over the rules and especially after they met some of the conditions set by FKF.

Some of the conditions Sofapaka met include showing evidence that they can run the team the whole season in the season, depositing Sh 5 million with the federation and paying their players, outstanding dues for two months.

As all this transpired, Sofapaka were on a rebuilding process as the team under Sam Ssimbwa  shipped in 13 new players during the June KPL transfer window including three Ugandans; Umar Kasumba, Feni Ali and Rogers Aloro from SC Villa, URA and The Saints respectively.

Veteran striker Hillary Echesa returned to the team from Chemelil Sugar and was joined by team mate Willis Ouma, Kakamega Homeboyz defender Abdulatiff Omar, Thika United striker Timothy Luda and former Sudan based defender Wesley Onguso.

The Ugandan tactician also called up eight other young players from lower division sides, including Palos striker Morvine Otiya and Hazel Ochieng from Jericho All Stars.

Among the players who were dropped were Jaffar Gichuki, Moses “Dube” Odhiambo, Wanok Pate, James Kasibante and Paul Odhiambo.

The changes made an impact in that Sofapaka who were once placed in mid-table at the 2017 KPL gradually scaled the ladder and eventually finished second behind Gor Mahia, besides producing one of the top scorers in Ugandan Umaru Kasumba.

Sofapaka captain and senior player Maurice Odipo is elated over teammate Wesley Onguso’s call-up to the national team Harambee Stars for the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup which kicks off on December 3 in Kenya.

Odipo said Onguso’s incorporation in Stars had been long due to his imperious form with Batoto Ba Mungu, adding that the team even deserved more in as far as contributing players to the national team is concerned.

“Honestly, Onguso’s call-up should not even have been an afterthought. His input at Sofapaka in the just concluded Kenyan Premier League has been commendable and it’s now time for him to show what stuff he is made of in the Cecafa tournament.

Added Odipo: “I think Sofapaka has three or four players who deserved such summons and it’s only fair that national team selectors look critically at all the KPL teams in future to get the right material for Harambee Stars,”

Odipo, who donned national team colours three years ago, wished Onguso and the rest of the Harambee Stars players the best of luck as they carry the country’s banner in the Cecafa tournament which ends on December 19.

This is the second time for Onguso to be tried out in the national team after previous call-up for the international friendly against Democratic Republic of Congo.

Apparently, Odipo echoed the sentiments of Sofapaka Technical Director Martin Ndagano who had raised queries a week ago as to why Batoto Ba Mungu players had been overlooked in the Harambee Stars selection ahead of the Cecafa Challenge Cup.

According to Ndagano, indefatigable defender Willis Ouma and midfielder enforcer Mohammed Kilume are among Sofapaka players who deserved summons for national team duty.

NAIROBI, Kenya – Sofapaka FC President Elly Kalekwa believes his side will step up their game and challenge the current champions Gor Mahia FC for the 2018 SportPesa Premier League (SPL) title after finishing second this season.
“From a near relegation in 2016 to first runners up position in 2017, it took a lot of concerted effort by the whole team. It is evident of progress.” He added.
Gor took the champions with a 19point difference between them.
There is still work to be done to narrow the gap between them and the champions, and that was special even from the SPL point of view, in general. It goes further to prove the potential of this club.
“We have been far from good in the recent past. That is why I say this was a rewarding season for the club,” Kalekwa offered.
In regards to the omission of Sofapaka players from the Harambee Stars squad for the 2017 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup, The President expressed disappointment by noting that, even by virtue of their recent performance, Sofapaka has talented and exciting young players. And he doesn’t know why they were not called.
Despite spending big in June that saw them acquire the services of the likes of Bernard Mangoli, Hillary Echesa and Abdulatif Omar, the Club President is keen on bolstering his squad in the December – January transfer window as he seeks to contend for silverware next season.

Sofapaka FC first choice goalkeeper Mathias Kigonya has delivered a subtle message that he is relishing a call-up to the Ugandan national team, The Cranes, for the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup which kicks off in early December in Kenya.

The extrovert goalkeeper said he is as fit as a fiddle and is more than ready to be part of the players who will carry Uganda’s banner in the championships, adding that his ultimate dream is to venture into paid ranks in Europe.

“I would really be happy to be part of Uganda Cranes that will launch its CECAFA title defence in Kenya. Indeed hard work never stops paying and I hope one day to play in Europe. I’m focused and very positive mentally,” Kigonya was quoted by Ugandan portal Kawowo Sports.

Since landing at Sofapaka, Kigonya who has endeared himself to Kenyan football fans has been in an alluring form for Batoto Ba Mungu  and was instrumental in the team’s second place finish behind Gor Mahia in the just concluded 2017 SportPesa Premier League (SPL).

The agile glove-man says his dream is to make big strides in his career and ply his trade in Europe in the near future. To get there, he acknowledges that participating in the CECAFA tournament will be crucial.

Should he be drafted in Uganda Cranes squad, this will be the second international outing for Kigonya within a space of five months after he featured for the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) Allstars squad that toured Spain for two invitational fixtures.

Kigonya joined Sofapaka’s ranks in 2016 and was immediately handed the starting role and instantly earned himself plaudits from Head Coach Sam Ssimbwa and his deputy John Baraza for his eye-catching performances in the SPL.

Kigonya’s last paraded for The Uganda Cranes in the 2016 African Nations Championships (CHAN) finals held in Rwanda.

Another Sofapaka player eyeing  call up to the Cranes is free-scoring Umaru Kasumba who emerged one of the leading scorers in the SPL.

Sofapaka Technical Director Martin Ndagano is wondering aloud how some of the club’s highly talented players escaped the eyes of national team selectors for the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup Championship which kicks off in Kenya on December 3.

Ndagano does not hide the fact that he has been baffled by the decision of Harambee Stars expatriate coach Paul Put and his deputy Stanely Okumbi not to summon any of Batoto Ba Mungu players for the regional assignment despite the club winding up second in the just concluded Kenyan Premier League (KPL).

“Honestly, I can’t really understand what the qualities the national team selectors were looking for if Sofapaka players could miss out. Obviously, finishing second in the league should imply there were stand-out players at Sofapaka who should have been considered for national duty,” said Ndagano.

He gave examples of indefatigable fullback Willis Ouma, midfielder Mohammed “Master” Kilume and Wesley Onguso who, he said, are all ripe for national team duty.

“A player like Ouma (Willis) can be deployed at any defensive position and has been Sofapaka’s mainstay in the rearguard. As for Kilume and Onguso, they have shown a lot of maturity and ought to be tried out at the national team,” explained Ndagano.

Unlike Ouma and Kilume, Onguso has previously graced the national team as a trialist before being dropped by Okumbi for strange reasons.

Apparently, it would be extremely foolhardy to ignore Ndagano’s remarks on the selection of Harambee Stars players considering his high profile when he was coaching Mukura Victory and Rayon Sport in the Rwandese league a couple of years ago.

In a nutshell, Ndagano has an enviable record of producing players who are national team material.

For example, during his stint with the eight-times Rwandese league champions Rayon Sport, Ndagano groomed players like Olivier Rutabinga and Dusanga Jean Pierre Pokou who went ahead to play for the Rwandese national team, Amavubi (The wasps).

But Ndagano points out that it’s the discretion of Harambee Stars coaches to select players of their choices, adding that what Put and Okumbi need, is to be given a free-hand in the exercise if they are to succeed.

“Although no Sofapaka player is involved in the current squad, I believe the selected players have the pedigree to help Harambee Stars win the title on home soil. A perfect start in their opening match will give the players the much needed confidence in subsequent fixtures,” noted Ndagano.