Leopards captain Mang’oli completes Sofapaka switch

The 2009 Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions Sofapaka FC have completed the signing of AFC Leopards captain Bernard Mang’oli.

The switch marks the highest profile signing of a mid-season transfer window characterized by slow activity but in which Sofapaka have shown little hesitation exploiting.

Just one week ago, the club paraded 13 new signings in a show of sheer intent and have now captured Mang’oli who was out of contract at the Den as they look to build a solid campaign over the second leg of the KPL.

Sofapaka Team Manager Willis Waliaula told Citizen Digital the midfielder inked a two-year deal on Wednesday, days after reports linking him away from the Den surfaced online.

“He is going to be very valuable to the team; he is a quality player who understands Kenyan football and I know he will help us win titles during his time here,” the official said.

The move marks a second stint Mang’oli has been part of the Batoto ba Mungu roster following his 2013 loan deal that lasted six months.

“He is a player who has shown commitment at each level that he has competed and he assured us that he will take us to the next level which is to win the KPL title,” Waliaula said.

Mangoli becomes the third signing to rejoin the club after Abdulatif Omar, Willis Ouma and Hillary Echesa.

Sofapaka, fifth on the KPL log, underlined their title credentials last weekend when they edged then table-toppers Gor Mahia FC 2-0 at the Kinoru Stadium as new signings gave the club a glimpse what to expect from them.

The result put them five points adrift leaders Tusker FC and will be hoping to maintain their momentum when they travel to Silver Bullet for their GOtv Shield Cup round of 64.

Waliaula emphasized the addition of Mang’oli will help bridge the difference in class between them and their top competitors.

“The teams that are above us have a lot quality players and for us to compete with them we need the same and depth in squad. Players like him (Mang’oli) bring just that in the team,” he asserted.