Sofapaka will host Wazito Football Club on 8th December in a mid-week premier League fixture.

Ahead of an exciting fixture to be staged at the Wundanyi Stadium, below is a preview of all you need to know heading into the Wednesday match.

Last outing
In an entertaining reverse fixture in Thika, Lawrence Juma, Joseph Waithira and Ambrose Sifuna goals were enough in a 3-0 win over Wazito.

Form
Ahead of Wednesday’s fixture both teams head into the clash on a good form having won over the weekend. However three points separates the two sides, Sofapaka are placed 10th on the table while our opponents are 14th on the log.

Numbers
Since their promotion to the top flight,five matches so far have been witnessed between the two sides in which Sofapaka has won four while our opponents won one respectively.

Goals
In the five encounters a total of 11 goals have been scored between the two sides with an average of two goals per game.

Key men
Joe Waithira and Lawrence Juma goal scoring form comes handy for Sofapaka and will be key to propel the team up the log, while coach Francis Kimanzi will bank on Ellie Asieche, Kevin Kimani and Musa Masika prowess upfront.

The match is scheduled for Wednesday , 8th December at Wundanyi Stadium.

After three goals and an assist to his name, club top scorer Joe Waithira is buoyant on his form and has since set a season target to achieve.

Until the league suspension by the Cabinet Secretary of Sports, Ambassador Amina Mohammed, the midfielder had found the back of the net in three fixtures against Nairobi City Stars, Mathare United and Afc Leopards after six rounds of matches played.

Waithira who scored the opening goal of the season and provided an assist, says he’s happy about having started on a positive note.

I feel good to have had a decent start to the season. More importantly, netting the opening goal of the season for the club and an assist to cap it all against City Stars.

The win over the Leopards was relief and a confidence booster in turning around our season.

We started strongly collecting four points in our opening two fixtures, and afterwards we went three matches in a row winless, a situation that really had an impact on our confidence levels as pressure mounted. However, the win over Ingwe has restored our belief and confidence. It is a turning point for the team, and it is upon us to up our momentum and keep winning in the coming fixtures.

Having three goals to his name, the midfielder believes he has what it takes to challenge for honors at the end of the season and has set 15 goal targets.

When you get playing time, score goals and provide assists as a player, your confidence level rises. I feel so confident and with a target to achieve at the end of the season, I believe scoring at least 15 goals and assisting several others are manageable.

Waithira concludes by being adamant that our season targets as a club are still intact and achievable.

The league is always a long journey. We are 28 games left, with the squad and caliber of players we have presently, I believe our targets are achievable. We only need to keep being consistent and taking each match as final because this is the only way we shall be able to realize our goals.

Experienced video analyst Roshni Bhatt has joined Sofapaka Football Club

We are delighted to announce we have acquired the services of Roshni
Bhatt. Bhatt joins us as our new video analyst for a two-year period.

In her briefing, Bhatt expressed confidence in improving the players performance. Here is what she said;

‘It is a new journey for me, and I am glad to have joined one of the big clubs in the country. It feels good to get another opportunity to offer my services, and I hope to impact the players’ performances.’

Bhatt has previously served the women’s national team Harambee starlets.

Experienced goal keeper trainer, Hassan Sunil Shah, has joined Sofapaka.

The club is delighted to announce that we have acquired the services of experienced goal keeper trainer Hassan ‘Sunil’ Shah.

Sunil takes charge of our goal keeping department as the new goal keepers coach for the next two years after the departure of John Waw who left after the expiry of his contract with the club.

Hassan has expressed his delight and readiness to give his best with the team. Here is what he had to say;

I am excited to walk another journey with a top club in the country. It feels good to realize that my services are in demand and appreciated. It is a new adventure, and I am happy with the humble time given to execute my work.

Sunil terms Omondi, Odhiambo and Masaka as quality custodians whom he wants to improve to be at the top

The club has good keepers who are so competitive and have played a lot of league matches. Last weekend we made a change and played Fredrick Odhiambo, and he did not disappoint by having a decent match. His performance shows readiness and strong depth we have. My main aim is to better them more on their weaknesses.

The former Kariobangi Sharks coach says his satisfaction will be national call-ups for the keepers.

As a coach, you must have vision and a target to achieve. In my department, my main will be to ensure the team keeps as many clean sheets as possible and, ultimately, national team call-ups. The national team place for either of my keepers will be a satisfaction.

Sunil, who has over ten-year experience with both the men and women national teams, has previously worked at Tusker and Kariobangi Sharks, will add needed value to our technical bench.

Welcome, Sunil.

Sofapaka grabbed all the bragging rights after beating Afc Leopards on Sunday in FKF Premier League round six fixtures.

Providing an assist that led to the sole goal in the match, midfielder Said Tsuma has expressed his delight on winning over the Leopards, here is what Tsuma said.

Making his full debut for the club, Tsuma admits to having had a tough outing against his former employer.

First, I want to thank God for my first start for the club and, secondly, coach Ken Odhiambo for his trust in me. Mentally and emotionally, it is never easy playing against your former team, and so I wasn’t exceptional. It was a tough match for us, but I am glad I was well-composed and helped my side to emerge victorious.

The former Ingwe man expressed delight on his first assist for the club.

I feel good to have played full minutes in the match, but most importantly, I am so happy for my first assist of the season because it helped us bag the maximum points. Going by my playing position, it is never easy to get such an assist, and I am only hopeful to get more of the assists in the coming fixtures because the ultimate goal is to help the team get the results.

The midfielder is optimistic for positive results in forthcoming fixtures.

On Sunday we got the work done, but it’s just the beginning for us. We have not had a good start to the season, but the season is a long way to go. We have a good side and only want to build on the Leopards win going forward.

Tsuma rallies his teammates to keep on consistency.

To keep up with good results each week, we only need to keep winning, and this comes with consistency. We want to build on it and get the best in every match.

Sofapaka bounced back to winning ways after beating Afc Leopards 1-0 in an entertaining match in Wundanyi.

Joe Waithira’s first half was all important for Sofapaka as the team got back to winning ways after three winless outings.

Sofapaka kicked off the match on a pressing note in a quest to take an early lead. Alex Imbusia and Lawrence Juma linked up well before the latter’s powerful shot went over the bar.

Ten minutes into the match BatotoBaMungu came calling yet again, Joe Waithera dribbled past Joachim Olouch he then set through Alex Imbusia but Imbusia’s effort but had too much power for a goal kick.

At the quarter-hour mark, Sébastien Ikekhai almost gave the host the lead, the Nigerian pounced on Joe’s delivery, but his volley misses the target by inches.

At the half-hour mark, Leopards had their first change in goal, a long cross on the left flank landed on Marvin Nabwire, but the midfielder’s effort went into Odhiambo’s arms.

Ten minutes later, Odhiambo, making his debut, pulled a huge save to deny the visitors from taking the lead. The former Wazito man reacted on time to deny Peter Thiongo from close range.

A minute to the interval, Sofapaka broke the deadlock through Joe Waithera. The forward collected Said Tsuma’s delivery before hitting a low, hard shot past Opiyo in goal.

On resumption, the Leopards came close to level scores through Washington Munene. The midfielder’s header caused problems to Odhiambo, but the custodian was well-placed to cancel out the pressure.

On the hour mark Sofapaka came close to double their lead, Lawrence Juma’s volley deflected off Olouch for a goal kick.

Twenty minutes from time, the Leopards had another attack on goal through Eugune Mukhangula, the winger’s header went over the bar.

Against the run of play, Ambrose Sifuna almost doubled our lead, the midfielder dribbled into the Leopards penalty area, but his final touch hit the bar on the left side to go out for a goal kick.

Sofapaka will host Afc Leopards on Sunday 7th November in round six of the FKF Premier League fixture.

Ahead of an exciting fixture to be staged at the Wundanyi Stadium below in a preview of all you need to know heading into the Sunday match.

Last outing
In the reverse fixture in Wundanyi, Lawrence Juma’s ten minute brace wasn’t enough as Austin Ochieng’s late free kick volley earned Leopards a point in an entertaining game.

Form
Both sides head into the match on a poor run of form having gone winless in the last four league games. Sofapaka and Leopards are placed 12th and 13th respectively on four points each.

Numbers
Sofapaka and Gor have played 28 matches in total, Ingwe and BatotoBaMungu have won 12 and 11 matches respectively while five fixtures ended in draws.

Goals
In the last eight encounters a total of 22 goals have been scored between the two sides with an average of three goals per game.

Key men
Lawrence Juma returns at a crucial time for the team. He will be tasked with goals upfront alongside Alex Imbusia, Joe Waithera and Hansel Ochieng. Ingwe tactician Patrick Assumes will bank on Saad Musa, Peter Thiongo and Marvin Nabwire for goal hunt.

The match is scheduled for Sunday, 7th November at Wundanyi Stadium.

Sofapaka and AFC Leopards will lock horns on Sunday 7th November in a Football Kenya Federation Premier League round six fixtures in Wundanyi.

Ahead of the Sunday afternoon encounter, head coach Ken Odhiambo has expressed confidence in getting a positive outcome. Here is what the manager said.

On team preparation

We have had a whole week to prepare for the match, and this has been a plus to us in terms of correcting all the areas of need. Despite last week’s setback, the players have been positive. We hope to implement all our preparations on the pitch.

On facing Leopards

It is one of those closely fought battles with a lot at stake. We face each other at a moment, we are both not doing well. Nevertheless, we want to get back to winning ways though it won’t be an easy walk in the park since our opponents are in our situation too. We are into a new month, and we only want to begin on a positive note.

On the latest signings

I am glad we brought in Geoffrey Ojunga and David Otieno. The two are quality players, and for once we have the right back issue sorted in Otieno. He is experienced and diligent in his work. Geoffrey adds more depth and force in our midfield, he is so talented and young. We hope the two will add value to our current squad.

On team news

The team is in a good shape, we haven’t had any serious concerns from our medical department. All the small knocks from Gor Mahia tie have been well-taken care of. With two days to go, we hope not to lose any player before Sunday.

Sofapaka takes on Afc Leopards in round six fixtures on Sunday. Ahead of the ‘cats derby’ club assistant captain David Nshimirimana has expressed confidence in turning around the current poor form of results.

Having gone winless in the last four encounters, David admits the results are a concern;

We prepare and play to win matches, and that’s what it all entails with our work; unfortunately, this has not been the case in our past four league matches. It is a concern for us as players, we have talked about it and only want to turn the poor results into positive ones. We hope to begin our comeback on Sunday against Afc Leopards.

The Burundi international admits to the lack of complete connection as the missing link in the squad

We really have a solid squad, but I believe we haven’t just jelled well. It takes time to get that combination, rythm, and connection. This has been evident in our previous encounters, but once we get this sorted, I believe we shall be talking of different results living forward.

The former Buildcon man acknowledges the Leopards match to be a tough one but must win the duel.

The leopards match will be a tough one because they have been struggling too, and I know they will want to return to winning ways just as we badly need too. This in itself makes the fixture a close one. We are playing at home, and we have to make good use of the home advantage to get the results. We want to turn around our bad run, and we have to begin to come Sunday

The Burundian concludes by rallying up his teammates to step more.

It has a collective responsibility as a playing unit. We have good quality, and I would like to urge my fellow teammates to double up their efforts for us to realize our targets.”

Sofapaka new acquisition Geoffrey Ojunga has expressed his delight on joining the 2009 champions and is optimistic for a strong start with BatotoBaMungu

Speaking exclusively to the club’s media, here is what the midfielder had to say;

On joining Sofapaka

I am delighted to have completed my move to Sofapaka because it is one of the biggest clubs in the country, rich in history and definitely a side full of talents. It has been my desire career-wise to someday turn out for the top side, and I am glad I achieved one of my many desires.

The former Western Stima man who is having his second stint at the top flight is optimistic about a different season;

“This is my second season in the premier league, and I am really excited to have another experience of it. More so, turning out for a top club has really got me motivated to make a statement and fight for honors because I am confident we can go by the team we currently have.

On his experience going down on his maiden season at Western Stima

“I was happy to have my first premier league experience, but it wasn’t a good one because despite our spirited efforts full of challenges, the team got relegated to the second tire. As an aspiring young player, such an experience takes you back, but I am glad my efforts during the season earned me another chance, and I am delighted about it.”

The 20-year old midfielder who is yet to play a game donning the white and blue colors is upbeat for a positive start

I dream to play my first match for the team as soon as possible, but I am well aware it will take time since I am new into the squad; however, I am ready to give my best and can’t wait for the moment.

The former Gor Mahia youth player is hopeful to steer the team to a top three finish.

“I hope to settle in as quick as possible, and my main target for the season is to help push the team to a top three finish. It will be an achievement, and if we win any of the available trophies, it will be a huge plus to me.” Ojunga concluded.

Touted as a promising prospect, Geoffrey Ojunga Omondi began his career featuring for Gor Mahia youth, and after a promising adventure, Kisumu-based side Western Stima came calling, and the midfielder made no haste joining the power men. Ojunga will be gracing the premier for a second stint in the current FKF-Premier League 21/22 season