Sofapaka’s newly appointed assistant coach Ezekiel Akwana stated he rejoined his former club to aid coach Francis Haringingo win matches.

The former international who has previously been part of the Batoto ba Mungu rejoins the 2009 champions after serving at Muranga seals and Mathare United clubs.

Akwana believes his vast experience in coaching in the local league will play a huge role in making Sofapaka win their game against Nairobi City Stars this Saturday and finish the league among the top six teams.

“Am elated to be back at home and my main role as an assistant coach is to work together with coach Haringingo to ensure the club start winning their matches. We have a good team with talented, skilled and hard- working players that can help in producing positive results. As the head coach deals with the players my duty will be keenly studying and monitoring our opponents in order to be well prepared for combat when we take to the center stage, “Quipped Akwana.

In regards to having pressure after being brought in when the team is languishing at the bottom of the 18-team log with a single point from three defeats a draw Akwana stated, “Every coach is always after the three points and am no exception, we have a new coach taking over a team with a fair number of new players and this can be a little problematic. Its good that we have discovered the jelling problem now rather than later and dealt with it. With the kind of training we have had for last couple of days am assured of a win and fans to turn up in large number to help us in our quest to this season,”

After going down by a solitary goal in the hands of Ulinzi Stars FC at Ulinzi Sports Complex, Nairobi on September 24, Sofapaka tactician Francis Haringingo acknowledged that he is now under pressure to produce positive results.

Sofapaka have played four games in which they have only managed to collect a point after playing to a 1-1 all draw against champions Gor Mahia FC in their opening clash before going down 1-0 to visiting Bandari FC in their second game. In their third game Batoto ba Mungu lost 3-1 in the hands of Posta Rangers.

The soft spoken Burudian coach stated he is now under pressure for the team to score more goals in order to get out of the bottom of the 18-team log.

“We played well against the soldiers today if only we had utilized all the chances that we created I believe we would have emerged victorious. My players had outclassed our challengers in every aspect until they got the free-kick which they successfully converted to a goal and that’s football, you are punished by making a mistake and you win by utilizing the chances that you get,” said Haringingo

He added, “Our mission now is to go back to the drawing board and work on scoring because I trust the forwards are capable of finding the back of the net in order for us to start collecting three points. This week we are going to work have an intense training session as we prepare to battle Nairobi City Stars at the weekend.”

Haringingo believes he has good players that are able to produce positive results before the end of the first leg as well at finish with a silverware at the end of the season.

Batoto ba Mungu are placed 18th on team log with a single point, nine points below table toppers Posta Rangers.

Newly signed Sofapaka FC veteran midfielder Humphrey Mieno is confident his team will down Posta Rangers FC in their next Football Kenya Federation (FKF) match slated for September 17th 2023 at Kasarani Stadium, Annex Nairobi.

Mieno who joined Batoto ba Mungu as a free agent from Tusker last season when his contract ended believes his side has the zeal and determination to clinch the three points from their opponents when they face-off at the weekend.

“As a team I trust it is important to focus on one game at a time, I know they are a good team judging by their last outings where they surprised everyone by white-washing Kenya Police FC 3-0 but that is history. All our attention now is to play according to the coach’s script and produce positive results at the end of the 90 -minutes” Quipped Mieno who has penned down a one-year renewable contract with the club.

This will be mieno’s third stint at Sofapaka as he was part of them in 2011 before featuring for them again in the 2014 season.

When asked on whether he sees the team clinching the title at the end of the season Mieno said, “Sure, why not? we have a very good squad and a very dedicated technical bench that are up to the task and are go getters. I know if we concentrate on a garnering three points while not dropping any we will definitely accomplish the team’s goal.”

The 33-year-old has also featured for Mahakama, KCB, AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia in the country as well as St George in Ethiopia, Azam FC in the Tanzania and Club Africain in Tunisia.

Meanwhile, coach Francis Haringingo stated they are going for nothing short of the winning points against Posta at the weekend.

“The FIFA break has really helped us because we have gone back to the drawing board and rectified a few mistakes we made in our duels against Gor and Bandari. We are now ready to go to war against Posta and we urge our fans to come in large numbers and support us,” Noted Haringingo

Revenge will ultimately be on Sofapaka’s mind as they face Bandari in a potentially explosive Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League at match at Moi International Sports Centre (MISC) Kasarani Annex, Nairobi on September 1st 2023.

There is no love lost between the two teams as Batoto Ba Mungu will be going flat out to inflict defeat on Bandari who beat them in both legs last season, 1-0 and 2-1 to be precise.

After playing to a 1-1 all draw against Cup holders Gor Mahia FC at the Kasarani main stadium last weekend Sofapaka will be going for nothing short of the three points.

The team’s Head coach Francis Haringingo stated he is optimistic of his players posting positive results especially after the boys displayed hard work and dedication in their last outing.

Haringingo urged his squad to follow his script religiously if they are to collect the three points at the end of the 90 minutes.

“Our game against Gor Mahia has already gone and now our full focus in on the dockers, we need to be vigilant as there is no room for mistakes this time round. If we are to be able to finish the league at the top then our priority should be winning all of our remaining games,” Quipped Haringingo
Batoto Ba Mungu will however be missing the services of their right-back Simon Munala who was voted as man of the match in the opening league match against K’ogalo, The speedy player who is out on an injury will be replaced by Eugene Otieno who is equally up to the task.