Category: POST MATCH REVIEW

Musyoki elated at his first team experience

Sofapaka youngster Lucky Musyoki has revealed he is delighted with his first-team experience and looks forward to repaying the trust bestowed on him by giving his best on the pitch.

“I am so happy for the matches I have been able to play in. “I missed the first match of the season and came in as a substitute against Posta Rangers and Nzoia Sugar, but since then I have been able to start every other match, which has greatly improved my confidence levels.” Said Musyoki

I feel so confident in taking part in any match when called upon, and I am currently focusing on providing more assists and scoring goals as well. It will be my greatest fulfillment to achieve all this along the way and help the team realize its targets. He added

“The league is very competitive, and I am getting to learn and adjust along the way.” I hope to quickly and completely settle in and be able to be more valuable to the team. We won our first match of the season, and it was such a great feeling to finally taste victory at the top level. “I’m hopeful we can carry the momentum into upcoming fixtures.” Concluded Musyoki

The former Migori Youth winger will be hopeful to make his fifth start of the season on Sunday.

Ochola over the moon about making his debut.

Sofapaka youngster Maqbul Ochola has expressed his delight at making his Premier League debut.

Ochola, who was introduced in the second half and managed to clock 25 minutes, has set his eyes on featuring in more matches.

I feel so happy to have played my first Premier League match. It is a dream come true because I have always longed to one day play at the top level. Said Ocholla

I am so grateful to coach David Ouma for giving me the platform yesterday, and I want to repay his trust in me by giving my best whenever tasked to do so. He added

I believe this is the start of many more to come because I want to work extra hard to ensure I cement my position in the team and feature in more matches in the upcoming fixtures. Concluded Ochola

Maqbul will be hopeful to play his second match on Sunday.

Sifuna’s strike earns Sofapaka its first win of the season

Sofapaka registered its first win of the season in a 1-0 win over Talanta.

Ambrose Sifuna’s first-half goal was enough as Batoto Ba Mungu saw off FC Talanta at Kasarani Annex.

In the opening stages of the first half, Sofapaka had the first call on goal through Roddy Manga. Titus Achesa and Lucky Musyoki combined well on goal before the latter set Roddy Manga, but the striker narrowly missed from close range.

At the quarter-hour mark, Ambrose Sifuna almost broke the deadlock, but Talanta needed was well in time to keep his well-executed volley out of danger.

Ten minutes later, after constant attempts on the Talanta goal, Ambrose Sifuna scored the opener. The midfielder collected Brian Wepo’s ball before shooting a long-range volley that troubled the Talanta keeper to give Sofapaka the lead.

At the half-hour mark, Lucky Musyoki came close to doubling our lead. A perfectly taken free kick almost beat the Talanta keeper, but the custodian reacted in time to deny Musyoki.

At the stroke of halftime, Sébastien Sunday and Brian Wepo had a good link up on the right flank, with the latter finding Samuel Olwande, but the defender’s header went inches wide.

On resumption, the visitors came back lively and almost leveled the scores through Dennis Oalo. The striker dribbled past Wepo, but Kevin Omondi acted in time to clear out the danger.

At the hour mark, Nixon Omondi and Roddy Manga had a good combination. Omondi laid a perfect through pass to Roy Okal, but the midfielder’s header went wide.

Twenty minutes from time, Ambrose Sifuna had a good chance to double his tally of the day, but hurriedly took his shot, seeing his effort go out.

Against the run of play, Talanta pushed numbers upfront in a bid to snatch an equalizer, but a well-established defense ensured we collected our first maximum points.

Manga, oozing confidence, targets the golden boot accolade

The Congolese forward Roddy Manga, who has found the back of the net twice in the last three outings, believes he’s found his confidence and scoring touch and hopes to surpass last season’s tally.

I started the first three matches on a low note, but that did not deter me from working hard on my confidence at goal, and I am glad I have been able to find the back of the net twice in the last three league matches. As a striker, it’s a confidence booster for me heading into the remaining matches of the season, and I hope this works out perfectly for me.

Last season, I managed six goals in five matches, and currently, with two goals in the first six matches, I am confident of surpassing my tally from last season. I am focused on giving my best on the pitch, and I look forward to scoring at least fifteen goals at the end of the season.

The league is still in its initial stages, so we are fully focused on doing better than last season. Personally, apart from having a 15-goal tally target, I have set my eyes on winning the golden boot award at the end of the season. Concluded Manga.

Sofapaka will next take on Talanta when the league resumes.

Roddy Manga earns Batoto Ba Mungu one point at Annex.

Congolese forward Roddy Manga’s second-half goal cancelled out Elvis Rupia’s early goal in the final half to earn Sofapaka a point against Kenya Police FC.

In a match staged at Kasarani Annex, Police were the better side in the opening half, pulling strings and attacking after attack, and Patillah Omotto almost broke the deadlock in the opening quarter of the match. The midfielder collected Regean Omondi’s pass, but he failed to direct the ball at an empty net with keeper Mathias Kigonya well beaten.

At the half-hour mark, Titus Achesa put Roddy Manga through on goal. The striker calmly controlled the ball onto his feet before shooting a long-range volley, only for his efforts to go a few inches wide.

Moments later, Ambrose Sifuna floated in an inswinger that found Davis Kasiyre; the forward dashed past Harun Shakava, but his diving header caused no trouble for an easier pick for Job Ochieng in goal for the Police.

At the stroke of halftime, Marvin Nabwire and Duke Abuya had a perfect combination in Sofapaka’s defense. The ball was skilfully chipped past Nshimirimana, but Okola made a quick rush into the box to make an important goal-line clearance as the two sides headed for the break goalless.

On resumption, Police were the brighter side yet again, and their efforts bore fruit five minutes after the restart. Substitute Elvis Rupia broke the deadlock, sneaking past Stephen Okola and David Nshimirimana to head in past Kigonya for the opening goal of the match.

On the hour mark, coach David Ouma made a double change, bringing Kevin Okoth and Geoffrey Ojunga into the fray to help salvage the situation, which instantly changed Batoto Ba Mungu’s attack, which saw Batoto Ba Mungu pin the law enforcers largely on their own half.

Twenty minutes from time, another substitute, Nixon Omondi, had a good build-up, combining well with Titus Achesa on the left flank. His low, hard pass found Manga, but the striker failed to direct the ball past Job Ochieng after his touch had too much power, only to see his efforts go wide.

But after constant pressure on goal, Roddy Manga finally scored to level the scores ten minutes from time. The forward made a swift run past Harun Shakava before rising high and calmly heading past Job Ochieng.

Against the run of play, Kevin Okoth found Geoffrey Ojunga with a pin-point pass, but the midfielder’s hard shot slightly missed the target as the two teams settled for a point each.

Ulinzi and Sofapaka share spoils in Langata

Enos Ochieng scored a last-minute goal to deny Sofapaka a maximum in round five of the FKF Premier League fixture.

In a match staged at Ulinzi Sports Complex, both teams had end-to-end action in a quest to get the three points. In the first quarter of the game, Sofapaka had the first sniff at goal through Davis Kasiyre; the forward collected Ambrose Sifuna’s delivery, but his touch went inches wide.

At the half-hour mark, Lucky Musyoki and Brain Wepo had a good combination on the right flank before the latter singled out Rody Manga, but the striker’s header missed the target by a whisker.

Five minutes later, Ulinzi came close to breaking the deadlock through Clinton Omondi. A quick counterattack initiated by Boniface Muchiri saw the midfielder set Omondi through, but Titus Achesa made a timely effort to clear the danger.

Five minutes before the breather, Ambrose Sifuna delivered a long ball to Rody Manga. The striker hit a great volley, but his effort went straight into the keeper’s arm.

At the stroke of halftime, Sofapaka were awarded a penalty after an Ulinzi defender was judged to have handled the ball in the penalty area. Davis Kasiyre made no mistakes from the spot to give us the lead at halftime.

On resumption, the hosts were the better side in the opening stages of the second half, throwing in attack after attack in search for the equalizer, but Sofapaka’s defense remained firm.

At the hour mark, Ambrose Sifuna made an explosive run into the soliders’ defense and took a hard shot, but his effort missed the target by a whisker.

Twenty minutes from time, Ulinzi almost leveled the scores through Benard Ongoma, but David Nshimirimana put his body on the line to deny the midfielder from a close range attempt.

Against the run of play, after a consistent push for the equalizer, Ulinzi finally got the equalizer after Rody Manga’s attempt to clear unlucky turned into his own net as the two teams settled for a point each.

Ouma happy to bag first trophy of the season

Head coach David Ouma has expressed his satisfaction after clinching the Jamhuri Day Cup on Monday after edging the AFC Leopards on post-match penalties.

“First of all, I must commend the players.” I am so happy with my players’ resilience and hard-fought spirit throughout the encounter. “They showed character and gave their best, and it is not a surprise that it paid off.” He said

“We knew it was going to be a tough battle, and we had to fully prepare for the Monday task.” We knew what was in store, and we had to give it our very best. As I always said before, Sofapaka is a title-winning team, and I am glad we made a statement on Monday by lifting the Jamhuri Day Cup.” He added

“I understand we are ten points off the top of the table, but I am not shaken because I know the players will overturn the slow start. “For now, we are glad to have at least won a cup to end the year on a positive note, and I am optimistic this will build our momentum going into the remaining fixtures of the league.” Concluded Ouma.

Sofapaka will next take on Ulinzi Starts.

Sofapaka crowned Jamhuri Day Champions

Sofapaka were this evening crowned Jamhuri Day Champions after edging the AFC Leopards 4-3 on post-match penalties.

In an FKF Premier League fixture also played to mark Jamhuri Day national celebrations, Ingwe were the better side in the opening half, and it was no surprise as they took an early lead in the match with only a quarter of an hour played through Washington Munene. The defender made no mistakes, converting from the spot.

On resumption for the final half of the match, Batoto Ba Mungu were the more aggressive side, throwing numbers upfront for an equalizer. Their constant attempts bore fruit ten minutes from time through Roddy Manga. The forward pounced on a loose ball and headed it past Levis Opiyo for the equalizer.

On post-match penalties, Davis Kasiyre, Stephen Okolla, and Lucky Musyoki converted their penalties except for Alex Imbusia, which was enough as we beat Ingwe 4-3 to clinch the Jamhuri Day Cup.

Sofapaka and Rangers share points in Ruaraka

Sofapaka played to a barren draw with Posta Rangers in an FKF Premier League matchday two fixture.

In an early kickoff at Ruaraka grounds, Posta were the lively side, getting the first sniff on goal through Timothy Otieno. The former Batoto Ba Mungu forward received a through ball from Patrick Otieno before hitting a teasing volley, but his attempt went wide.

In a quick response, Baron Oketch and Titus Achesa had a good combination on the left flank before the latter delivered a low cross that found Rody Manga unmarked, but the Congolese hurriedly took his shot, missing the target by inches.

At the half-hour mark, Rangers almost broke the deadlock through Timothy Otieno. The striker picked out Benard Ondieki’s pass but failed to beat Mathias Kigonya after the Ugandan custodian made a timely reaction to his attempt.
At the stroke of halftime, Ugandan forward Davis Kasiyre almost scored the opener, but the striker’s header missed the target by inches as the two teams went in for the break goalless.

Three minutes into the final half, Davis Kasiyre came close yet again. The striker collected Baron Oketch’s low cutback cross but failed to tap past Samuel Njau in goal for Posta.
At the hour mark, Baron Oketch came close to netting his first for the club. He collected a loosely cleared ball by the Posta defense, but his volley went wide.

With a quarter of an hour to play for Davis Kasiyre, he had a decent opportunity to settle the scores, but the lanky forward’s header missed the target by a close margin.

Against the run of play, the Rangers came close to collecting the maximum points through Michael Apudo. The defender’s well-executed volley from 25 yards almost beat Mathias Kigonya, but the keeper made a timely reaction to fingertip out the danger. The save marked the last bit of action as the two teams settled for a point.

Ouma is optimistic despite a false start

Ouma is optimistic despite a false start.

Sofapaka began the season on a bad note, going down 2-1 to host Bandari in a match played at Mbaraki Sports Grounds. Despite the false start, coach David Ouma has remained upbeat about turning around the performance in the next assignment.

“We started the match on the right momentum by sticking to the game plan, and I am glad it did not take long to break the deadlock through Joseph Waithera, who perfectly teamed up with Davis Kasiyre. We had a good command of the entire game, but I feel we should have done better in the closing stages of the match.” He said

“We will have ourselves to blame because we played according to our strategy, but we gave them space on the flanks in the dying minutes of each half and they punished us with late goals. Today we went down, but what matters moving forward is how we will bounce back to winning ways in our next fixture, because we have to in order to be within range with rest.” He added

“We generally have a good team, the new signings who played a role today did a good job, and I know it’s a matter of time before we get
the right blend in the team. I am not worried because, with the squad at my disposal, I believe they will get the results going forward.” Concluded Ouma

Sofapaka will next host the Posta Rangers.