Sofapaka Football Club today unveiled Burundian international Francis Haringingo as the team’s new head coach, replacing David Ouma who now assumes a new role as the club’s Sporting Director.

Haringingo who is credited for guiding Rwandese side Rayon Sports to their first Peace Cup title in seven years on June 4, has a rich coaching career that spans over 10 years of which he was in charge of other several teams including Kiyovu, Mukura, Messager, and Vital’O.
He will be assisted by Pablo Nduwimana.

“I’m happy to be at Sofapaka as the new coach. I have heard a lot of brilliant stories about this team and it’s every coach’s dream to be associated with a brilliant club like this,” Haringingo said.

He added: “I have silently been watching the team’s training and I am very impressed in the talent here. We can make a formidable side if we make this talent and the hard work count.”

Meanwhile, highly rated striker, Burundian international Fiston Abdul Razak has returned to the team, seven years after he left the club to South Africa giants Mamelodi Sundowns in a record Sh 37 million deal.

Razak who has previously been feted as the best locally-based African player is among 17 new faces at the club.

“It feels good to be back at Sofapaka after seven years. This team is like a family and it is where I honed my skills, I could never forget it and its an honor to be back to help them win the local trophies and help them qualify for Champions League football next season,” Razak told said.

He added: “After gaining vast experience in several top leagues, I feel this is the right time to offer my experience and skills to steer Sofapaka back to their glory days.”

After leaving Sofapaka in 2015, Razak whose move to Sundowns saw Sofapaka pocket a cool Sh37 million, also had stints with Bloemfontein Celtic, Al-Zawraa (Iraq), JS Kabylie (Algeria), ENPPI SC (Egypt), Yanga (Tanzania) and Olympique Club de Khouribga of Morocco.

Former Mathare United’s red-hot striker Daniel ‘Van Persie’ Otieno, bully Bandari forward Darius Msaga, former Mathare United captain Khalid Juman, talented winger Oliver Maloba (Nairobi City Stars) and veteran striker John ‘Softy’ Ndirangu have also joined the 2009 league champions ahead of the new season in which they are expected to kick-off their campaign against reigning league champions Gor Mahia.