The Current No. 2 Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions Sofapaka have kicked off their transfer activity in preparation for the 2018 campaign less than a week after the completion of the 2017 season with the acquisition of Vitalis Akumu from the relegated Western Stima on a two-year deal.

Akumu, whose contract with the Powermen ends in a month’s time, put pen to paper with the Batoto ba Mungu on Thursday 23 November as revealed by a Sofapaka source who sought anonymity.

“He has been talking to the management and today he signed a pre-contract pending the conclusion of his contract with Stima. He is a player the coaches had monitored his skills for some time and could be a key player for us next season,” the source revealed.

Both clubs could not give an official confirmation of the same but the Soka source revealed the defender who has grown well over the past two seasons came highly recommended. 

Akumu was part of the Kakamega High School’s Green Commandos team that carried home the 2014 Kenya Secondary School Games national title after seeing off Kisumu Day in the final in August.

He graduated from the Stima Under 19 side the same year and cemented his place in the senior side in the 2015 season when he amassed 20 league appearances but was to miss the entire second leg of the 2016 season due to injury after only recording seven games under his belt but returned to the fold at the start of this season.

Despite going down, Stima had top quality players and it is expected they will lose a lot of them to KPL sides ahead of 2018. A number of their most consistent players are said to have started negotiations with other clubs.

Sofapaka head coach Sam Ssimbwa has hinted at bolstering the squad with new signings next year.

Ssimbwa said he will not necessarily go for established players but greenhorns for the sake of continuity in the team.

“We hope to recruit big and I want to use the off-season to scout for players who have the pedigree to play for Sofapaka. We want to take our performance to the next level and as such, we have to shop for players who will help us realize our aspirations,’ said Ssimbwa.

He added “A big team like Barcelona has been recruiting players ostensibly to perform well and it is only in order that we borrow a leaf if we are to make headways in the Kenyan Premier League next season,”

However, Ssimba said the current playing unit has exceeded expectations in the just concluded league in which Batoto Ba Mungu wound up second behind Gor Mahia.

“At some point in the league, we were in mid-table and nobody expected us to make a great leap to the second position. It was simply incredulous and that shows that the players were determined and I give them big kudos for that. They just have to keep on working hard to get more positive results since Sofapaka is a big brand,” said Ssimbwa.  

And first and foremost, Ssimbwa who is fast establishing himself as a “Mr. Fix It” attributed selflessness and discipline amongst players as yet to winding up in a respectable position in the league.

“There are no two ways about it. Players have to be disciplined and these are virtues I instilled to those I have ever handled,” observed Ssimbwa.

The affable tactician has coached several teams across the region among them Sports Club Villa and Uganda Revenue Authority (Uganda), Young Africans (Tanzania) and Atraco (Rwanda).

It has been the norm that after the end of Kenyan Premier League, playing in the off-season tournaments is the in-thing amongst players for the sake of keeping fit.

Sofapaka who have just completed the KPL in the second position behind Gor Mahia are not expected to be an exception in this ‘craze’ where teams from various neighborhoods in Nairobi take on each other in what is increasingly turning out to be a must-watch in the city.

For the last few years, Sofapaka youthful midfielder Mohammed Kilume has been an inspirational player in multiple Koth Biro champions Umeme Bees as well as 2016 quarter finalists Opitos

It can be recalled that last year, a former Sofapaka player Humprey Mieno featured for Ziwani-based Nyoi who were one of the crowd-pulling teams in the tournament that is traditionally held at Ziwani grounds.

Other KPL players who were part of the tournament include Elly Esieche and Osborne Monday.

Another popular tournament in the city is the Lang’ata Kiko Cup held at Woodley ground in Lang’ata.

Current Sofapaka captain Maurice Odipo underscored the need of players featuring in such tournaments to ward off rustiness after completion of the league but warned of the risks of picking up injuries.

“The off-season tournaments are good for keeping fit but measures should be put in place to protect the players from picking injuries which may rule them out of action at the beginning of new KPL season,” said Odipo.

The Sofapaka defence kingpin said it will only be in order if his teammates have enough rest before taking part in such tournaments.

Sofapaka have just finished up second in the KPL after beating Zoo Kericho 2-1 in their final clash at Narok County Stadium on Saturday.

All’s well that ends well is the old proverb Sofapaka coach Sam Ssimbwa intoned after the team dispatched Zoo Kericho 2-1 at Narok Stadium on Saturday to wind up second in the 2017 Kenyan Premier League (KPL).

Ssimbwa had a premonition that Batoto Ba Mungu would emerge runners-up and that perhaps explains the tactician’s bullish attitude going into the final 34^th round clash played under an overcast sky in Narok.

“I told you we shall prevail despite the intimidating presence of Zoo who were in the relegation-fighting matrix. Of course, we were not expecting an easy match but I want to say with certainty we had devised a strategy on how we will bring them (Zoo) down to earth,’ said Ssimbwa.

Added Ssimbwa:”Since when Sofapaka beat Tusker In Ruaraka when I was not around, I gathered that players had cultivated a lot of confidence going forward. I’m glad that they were itching to get the job done in Narok and I wish to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to them as well as the entire club’s executive for their input in this success,”

Ssimbwa further added that although what they were ultimately looking for was the KPL gong which has since been won by Gor Mahia, a second placing is equally befitting for his charges.

“It is better half a loaf than none and the second position is a manifestation of how determined we were to vanquish all our opponents. We hope to come back in a big wayin 2018 to reclaim the title that has eluded us since 2009. This has been a wonderful season,” he remarked.

Sofapaka captain Maurice Odipo said discipline and hard work were the attributes which led to their success despite the myriad of challenges the team faced in the season.

“There was this issue of Fifa club licensing which hovered our heads and was bound to keep us out of the top-tier league. We thank God for helping us overcome some of these challenge and here we are, the 2017 KPL runners-up.

During the decisive weekend game, Sofapaka were like a polished diamond, giving the gritty Zoo pound for pound with impressive Ugandan strikers Umaru Kasumba and Ali Feni scoring a goal each to put the game to bed.

Pride of place also goes to goalkeeper Mathias Kigonya who kept Sofapaka in the game by pulling top drawer saves from Zoo danger-men Nicholas Kipkirui and Mike Madoya.

Following the win, Sofapaka wound up the league in the second position behind Gor with 55 points followed by Kariobangi Sharks (52 points), Posta Rangers (51 points) and Kakamega Homeboyz (50 points).

Sofapaka FC Coach Sam Ssimbwa has named his lineup that will clash in the Round of 34 league match at the their home ground, Narok County Stadium against Zoo FC on Saturday November 18.

Those starting include

• Mathias Kigonya
• Willis Ouma
• Maurice Odipo
• Rodgers Aloro
• Kennedy Oduor
• Mohamed Kilume
• Micheal Oduor
• Humphrey Okoti
• Umaru Kasumba
• Ali Feni
• Ezekiel Okare

Substitutes are

• George Opiyo
• Edward Kwanya
• Samuel Mutiria
• Hansel Ochieng
• Brian Magonya
• Meshack Karani
• Francis Ocholla

After an impressive second season in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) with Sofapaka that saw him included in the KPL AllStars team that faced Spanish second tier sides Cordoba and Sevilla Atletico, Mathias Kigonya has received offers from second division sides in Europe.

Kigonya joined Sofapaka in the mid transfer season last year from Ugandan side Bright Stars Kampala, a club partly owned by former AC Milan and Japanese international Keisuke Honda. 

The 21 year old left no doubts at all to his future at Sofapaka saying, “Sofapaka is a stepping stone and though has been home, its not permanent. If other clubs even from abroad, show interest in me, then I will heed the call.”  He added.

“Different teams from different countries have expressed their interest in me, one in Holland and the other in Spain both in the Eerste Divisie and Segunda Division”.

He still feels that he has a lot left to offer before he calls it quits especially for his national team where he has made made four appearances, two as a substitute. 

In 2016, the keeper featured for Uganda at CHAN 2016, and he hopes to eventually replace a fellow keeper Dennis Onyango of Mamelodi Sundowns, who is approaching the latter stages of his career at the age of 32.   

As Sofapaka readies themselves to tackle an estimated 143-kilometre journey from Nairobi to Narok for the deciding Kenyan Premier League (KPL) match against Zoo Kericho on Saturday, several of their players are oozing confidence of chalking up a win.

Hillary Echesa, the most experienced player in Batoto Ba Mungu’s ranks, won’t play because of a harm-string injury but nonetheless pointed out that a win over the Kericho side is not too much to ask.

“Going by the intensive training Sofapaka has undergone this week in Ruiru, I believe Zoo will find our team a hard preposition to deal with. Obviously, I would have loved to be part of the squad which is not possible although I believe all those who will be fielded shall help the team to deliver the desired results.

Echesa said that should Sofapaka play as they did against Tusker last week, then Zoo will definitely have their work cut out.

“Our team played well against Tusker and the win marked a turning point for us going into the conclusion of the season. I hope every player who will be fielded by Ssimbwa (Sam) will give 100 percent in terms of performance,” said Echesa.

In the meantime team captain Maurice Odipo said they can’t wait to wind up the KPL in the second position. We are all fired up although we have to respect Zoo who have already escaped the relegation shackles,” observed Odipo.

Sofapaka’s Ugandan duo of Jonathan Mugabi and Ali Feni who did not play against Tusker are likely to be incorporated in the squad to face Zoo.

Sofapaka FC midfielder Bernard Mang’oli says frequent injuries have denied him requisite playing time to earning a call up to the national team.

Mang’oli last featured for the Harambee Stars in March for friendlies against Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo says he remains focused in regaining full physical fitness ahead of the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup.

Harambee Stars Coach Stanley Okumbi will be naming his squad for the regional tournament that is making a comeback after a two-year hiatus and Mang’oli is optimistic that he will be considered.

“In my mind I remain focused in regaining my Stars spot and it will change nothing even if I’m not called up,”

Mang’oli penned a two-year contract with Sofapaka following the expiry of his one-year deal with Leopards during the mid-season transfer window and he says his true potential is yet to be felt at the club.

“I wanted to play better and have a greater season than it’s turned out since I joined this great family. However frequent injuries have made me play less, score few goals than last season.

“Right now I’m still nursing my sprained ankle and I have been advised by our team doctor to rest and recover so as to avoid suffering a bigger setback. I will have to wait for one and a half weeks or more before I can get back to full training,” he added.

In a good turn of events, the Batoto ba Mungu have enjoyed a spectacular 2017 season, going from the brink of relegation last season to position two currently on the Kenyan Premier League standings.

“The technical bench as well as the team management including the Club President at Sofapaka has been an inspiration and supportive to the team during the highs and the lows seasons.

Sofapaka have fate in their hands as they come face to face with Zoo Kericho in their last 2017 Kenyan Premier League (KPL) match at the Narok Stadium on Saturday.

Some of Batoto Ba Mungu ‘s key players have been ruled out of the game due to injuries but be it as it may, the team’s coach Sam Ssimbwa who was on a short sabbatical in his native Uganda remains bullish ahead of the contest.

“We are ready to confront Zoo and as I have always said before, it would almost be catastrophic to fail to grab the number two spot. I may be mistaken for a braggart but I have this strong feeling that victory over Zoo is inevitable,” said Ssimbwa.

The tactician who will turn 51 next month does not hide his gratitude after Sofapaka cobbled up a 1-0 win over Tusker during his absentia and expects the same spirit to be replicated by his charges in the assignment against Zoo.

“You see, there is a strong mentality and hunger to overcome obstacles by my charges and this is very encouraging. If we beat Tusker away, there is absolutely no reason as to why we should not stop Zoo especially given that we will be at home,” offered Ssimbwa who rejoined Sofapaka last Sunday.

As Ssimbwa set the records straight, the flip side is that Sofapaka will miss the services of the injured duo of Hillary Echesa and Bernard Mangoli while another casualty Jonathan Mugubi will undergo fitness tests to ascertain whether he will be available or not.

“Of course, missing such key players is a sad epitaph but then, we have good replacements. I can only say we are desirous to keep the candle aglow,” said Ssimbwa.

For the last couple of days, Sofapaka have been training at Ruiru Stadium which has a desso turf, which is good riddance considering that they will be playing Zoo in a similar surface.

Against Tusker last weekend, Sofapaka were simply in a class of their own and it is on the strength of such renaissance which makes them to be touted as favourites against Zoo.

Among the players who Ssimbwa is likely to summon for the job include skillful Ugandan import Umaru Kasumba, Ezekiel Okare and Maurice Odipo.

Sofapaka’s probable line-up

Mathias Kigonya, Willis Ouma, Maurice Odipo, Kenneth Oduor, Rodgers Aloro, Mohammed Kilume , Micheal Oduor, Timothy Luda, Umaru Kasumba, Samuel Mutiria, Ali Feni.