We host Gor Mahia Football Club on Thursday in a rescheduled Betking Premier League Matchday 17.

Below is a preview of all you need to know ahead of the tie on Thursday.

Match Stats
A total of 27 games played between the two sides, Gor has won 14 while we have won four of the ties, nine matches ended in a draw. In the most recent tie, we emerged 3-1 winners.

Form guide
Three points separate the two sides ahead of matchday 17, Gor is placed sixth on the log on 22 points while we are ninth on 19points. In the most recent league tie, both sides registered wins on Sunday

Team News
No fresh injuries from the last tie, the team will yet again miss the services of Alex Imbusia and Benard Muiruri as the duo continues with their recovery.

When: Thursday 20th May
Venue: Wundanyi Stadium
Time: 3:00PM

Matchday 16 proved vital beating rivals Wazito Football Club 2-0 on Sunday in Wundanyi. Head coach Ken Odhiambo reflects on the game and this what he had to say

On the win over Wazito
“The players played well according to instructions and at the end, it all paid off. We came into the match with the main aim to win yesterday’s encounter and we are glad we did just that. It’s a solid start for us and we want to build on it going forward.

On Aigba’s save
“Aigba’s save was a huge moment for us in the game, we conceded a dubious penalty but his heroics brought us back into the match. He was outstanding in the whole game making crucial saves that earned us our third clean sheets of the season.”

On Juma’s performance
“Juma has proved to be an important player for us. He’s been phenomenal since the season began. He keeps working hard and the results are evident. Yesterday he produced yet another class performance pulling an assist and goal in a closely fought match. His consistency shows how integral he is to the team. I believe this his season and if he maintains consistency then he will go all the way in achieving a lot this season.”

Sifuna appreciation
“Am so pleased with Ambrose Sifuna. The young lad has been some revelation in the team, yesterday he played in an unfamiliar role but stepped up to the occasion and summed it up with an assist for our second goal of the match. He has a huge potential and we only want to see him become a complete player. ”

The coach concluded by expressing his delight at the win:

“We aren’t well placed on the log and we need to get up the table to where we belong. We had a plan when the league resumed yesterday and we are glad we had our first win yesterday. Win over Wazito is a much-welcomed victory, the three points have pushed us to ninth on the standings. We are taking each game at a time, Wazito game is now behind us we shift focus to our next fixture on Thursday against Gor Mahia.

Sofapaka beat Wazito 2-0 in round 16 of the Betking Premier League match.

Aigba’s save
In a match staged in Wundanyi on Sunday visiting Wazito had a bright start into the game-winning penalty with four minutes of play. Kevin Kimani stepped up but his efforts bore no fruit with custodian Aigba Moubarka pulling a huge save to deny Wazito the lead.

Omondi’s opener
After 70 minutes of play and constant pressure, Nixon Omondi scored the opener, heading in Lawrence Juma’s delivery in the 72nd minute.

Juma’s winning strike
Twenty-two minutes later, Lawrence Juma scored our second of the game after being set through by Ambrose Sifuna beating keeper Opiyo to slot in an empty net.

Up next we take on Gor Mahia on Thursday.

After a two-month-long break, league action resumes. We welcome Wazito Football Club on Sunday at Wundanyi Stadium.

Ahead of Betking Premier League matchday 16 below is a preview of all you need to know about Sunday’s fixture.

Match Stats
Three league encounters have been played between the two sides, of the three fixtures we have won twice while our opponents won one duel. A total of six goals scored with the last encounter ending 2-1 in our favor.

Form guide
Six points separate the two sides ahead of matchday 16, Wazito is placed six on the log on 22 points while we are twelfth on 16 points. In the most recent ties, both sides have registered mixed results winning, drawing, and losing respectively.

Team News
The team will miss the services of Alex Imbusia and Benard Muiruri. The duo is out due to foot and groin injury respectively. Despite the duo missing the club has been dealt a huge boost, custodian Abdoul Aigba is fully fit for the tie.

When: Sunday 16th May
Venue: Wundanyi Stadium
Time: 3:00PM.

After a two-month-long break due to the suspension of sporting activities in the country, league action resumes following the president’s directive during the Labour day celebrations.

Facing the club’s media, coach Ken Odhiambo has expressed his delight on league resumption, Wazito tie, preparations, injury update, and more, this what the gaffer had to say

On league resumption
“It has been such a difficult moment for us as a team and those involved in the beautiful game. Having the league back is of high relief and it feels so good to be back. ”

On facing Wazito
“We take on them on Sunday, it is an opportunity to get our season back on track. We haven’t had a good first leg but we want to begin the second leg on a strong footing.
They Wazito have been on some good form until league suspension, we, therefore, going to face a good side and we must give our best.”

On fitness levels and team preparations
“We have had a fair preparation ahead of the tie despite the short period. To be honest, the fitness levels of the players are a concern, it’s been two months with no group training thus definitely playing a part in the player’s fitness levels nonetheless we are ready to begin.”

Reflecting on the first leg;
“It has been one of the most difficult and challenging legs, we had targets unfortunately we had a tough leg full of mixed results. We currently sit twelfth on the log and with a club of our stature it is a position we shouldn’t be at, we ought to be among the clubs topping the league. With two games at hand to play, we want to begin positively and turn our season around for a solid second leg.”

Coach Odhiambo concluded by expressing confidence despite Imbusia’s absence.

“We have two concerns, Alex Imbusia and Benard Muiruri will miss Sunday’s tie due to foot and groin injury respectively. Despite the two setbacks, the rest of the squad is in good shape for the match.

Barely a day after promising to aid Naya’s treatment, club partners Betika have approved to fully cater for Wisdom’s treatment. The online gaming firm has contributed Ksh three hundred thousand (300,000) that will cover Naya’s full treatment and recovery.

“We are so glad to for the kind gesture from our partner Betika, we shared with them about Wisdom’s condition, and today they have approved the whole sum that will see into his treatment and recovery. As a club, we are so pleased by the gesture from our partners and we wish Naya successful treatment and recovery. I also want to thank Kenyans for the kind of gesture they have shown and I wish to encourage them to continue with the same spirit.”
Said Kalekwa

On their part, club sponsors Betika have assured continued support towards Wisdom’s treatment. ”
We extend our support to Wisdom as he undergoes chemotherapy sessions to fight cancer. Naya is a talented player and has a bright future ahead and we look forward to his full recovery. said Kate Arudo

“Am so delighted this morning, am out of words to be honest because I didn’t expect this. From my deep down, I want to thank Betika and the club in general for fully coming through for me. Am now optimistic I will undergo treatment and hopefully get back soon,” said Wisdom

On his part Wisdom’s mother has expressed his gratitude for the kind gesture. ” Am so happy, I can’t thank Betika and Sofapaka enough for what they have decided to do for my son. As a mother is at rest now and my only hope is for Naya to heal fully in no time.”

Naya is expected to begin his chemotherapy sessions next week as he aims towards recovery.

Club President Mr. Elly Kalekwa has pledged support for ailing Sofapaka Youth midfielder Wisdom Naya.

Naya who has been diagnosed to have a cancerous, soft tissue sarcoma needs urgent help treatment.

“I was so touched by Wisdom’s condition and as family, we have resolved to be involved in his treatment. We are going to organize ourselves in the next few days in conjunction with our partners and friends to ensure that Wisdom gets the necessary support on his medical expenses.”

On his part Wisdom has expressed his delight at the support from the president: ” Am so happy today talking to the club president for coming through at a moment when am really in need. He is very remorseful for what has been going through and he has assured me of his total support until I get back to my feet.”

On his part Naya’s mother has thanked the club and the president for come through to Naya’s aid: ” My son Wisdom has been in pain for a long time, we hoped it would go only to develop into a huge swelling. When we sought medication we received the bad news, Naya was diagnosed with a cancerous growth in the soft tissues which needed urgent and proper treatment. I want to thank Mr. Kalekwa for coming through and I hope his support will help my son get back to his feet. ”

In conclusion, the president has thanked all the well-wishers who have shown support for Naya. ” I want to sincerely thank all those who have done their contributions towards Wisdom’s treatment. It shows love and care, together with their contributions we as a club and our sponsor will chip in to help Naya receive full treatment.”

Wisdom who joined the senior team at the beginning of the 2019/2020 season before being demoted to the junior team
is expected to undergo a chemotherapy session next week.

We are pleased to announce the return of coach
David Ouma.
Ouma who previously spent five years at the club in different capacities before being appointed the national women football team Harambee
Starlets head coach, will double up as the club’s Sports Director and Assistant coach of the senior team.
As a Sports Director, his work would entail being in charge of Youth Development structures and recruitment of talented players.
“Ouma is back home. I knew he would one day come back where his heart really is. He spent five good years with us in different capacities and
during those years, he showed great passion in his work and that is why when he had the chance to work with him again, we didn’t think twice,”
club president Elly Kalekwa said as he unveiled him today.
Ouma said: “First of all I want to thank God that I’m finally back at Sofapaka. It has been a journey, I worked here for about six years, then
I went to be an assistant coach of national men football team Harambee Stars under Bobby Williamson, then I was appointed the head coach of the national women team Harambee Starlets,” Ouma said.
He added: “I can say Sofapaka was my stepping stone to national duties.
It helped in my coaching transition and that is why I’m back since I want to give back after earning a lot of experience and knowledge in the
last few years. My plan with the team is to ensure that we remain as competitive as possible, going into the future assignments.”

After a disappointing 1-0 loss to host Kakamega Homeboyz, head coach Ken Odhiambo discussed Homeboyz’s loss, missed opportunities, slow start, and lack of concentration in a post-match briefing.

Homeboyz loss;
“We lost to Kakamega Homeboyz on Sunday because we didn’t give our best in the game. We began sluggishly and we got punished for it though we tried to fight back in the final half of the game that wasn’t enough to salvage a point in the encounter.”

On opportunities;
“Football is a game of chances, the Homeboyz created one and they utilized it in the game. We created numerous goal-scoring opportunities but we weren’t calm and decisive in our final third and this made it difficult for us to come back in the match.”

On the defeat piling more pressure;
“Definitely yes the loss in Kakamega piles more pressure on us a team and the technical bench. We had a plan and a target but with inconsistent results, we find ourselves in such a pressure situation because such performance keeps off our targets for the season.”

On concentration;
“It has been a concern because in our previous fixtures we have dropped points. On Sunday wasn’t any different, we got punished yet again due to concentration with six minutes of play. We work on it and hopefully, it shall be addressed going into future encounters.”

On whether season target still achievable;
“We are two games to the end of the first leg of the campaign, I believe we are still on course. We want to win our next two home fixtures and build on some proper consistency moving forward because this the only way we are going to get our season up and running.”

On the next assignment;
“We have ten days to our next league fixture against Gor Mahia, we embark on some proper preparations for the game. This a perfect opportunity to us, a win will boost our confidence level.”

We shall play Gor Mahia on Wednesday 31st March.

Alex Opoku’s seventh-minute strike sinks Sofapaka in Kakamega.

In a Betking, Premier League match played at Buhkungu Stadium, hosts Homeboyz began strongly and their efforts bore fruits scoring with just seven minutes of play. Alex Opoku picked a loss ball in the dangerous area scoring past Kevin Omondi.

Spirited efforts
We came back strongly in the game but our efforts bore no fruits. Our first goal attempt came through Issac Mitima who rose high heading on goal but his effort missed the target going off for a goal kick.

Bizimana Amissi came close again in the first half, a good delivery by Juma to Amissi but his attempt got saved by Oputi.

We had a strong second half, Alex Imbusia and Lawrence Juma were a threat to Homeboyz’s defense, Imbusia came close on three occasions but all his attempts were handled by Oputi. A last-minute spirited attempt by Kingatua, Waithira and Juma almost came close to an equalizer but a good defending from Homeboyz saw us bear no fruit.

Up next we take on Gor Mahia.