Sofapaka out to spoil Stewart Hall’s return to the KPL

Kenyan Premier League (KPL) side, Sofapaka FC, will hope they can keep the momentum gathered from their impressive 2-1 win over KPL Top 8 champions Muhoroni Youth FC going when they host troubled AFC Leopards at Machakos’ Kenyatta Stadium on Friday.

The Batoto ba Mungu parted ways with Harambee Starlets Head Coach, David Ouma replacing him with club legend, John Baraza, and remain hopeful they can pull a magical escape from the jaws of relegation with only three league rounds left to play.

On Baraza’s opposite end of the dugout, it will be mixed feelings for new Ingwe boss Stewart Hall – who arrived on Thursday afternoon – as the Englishman watches his former employers scramble to escape the chop while his new ones struggle to save face of what has been a forgettable season.

Baraza will attempt to make it two wins in as many matches and says his side can take advantage of mounting pressure at the Den who went one step worse following last weekend’s 2-0 defeat to archrivals and title-chasing Gor Mahia FC.

“To register a win over my former Harambee Stars teammate has given me a sense of hope.  The boys put up a spirited performance and hopefully they can maintain the urgency. Muhoroni are a good side so it goes to show we are capable of beating anyone.

“As long as we mathematically have a chance we will keep fighting to stay up. If we win all the matches you never know what could happen to other teams.  We have been preparing very well planning to get early goals but we have failed in that in most of our past matches. We got it in our past match, we hope it continues” Baraza told Citizen Digital.

Interim Coach Ezekiel Akwana could be without Bernard Mang’oli and Bernard Ongoma who are due to join the military, but the return of veteran defender Jackson Saleh from injury will be a boost.

Currently stuck on 13th on the KPL log with 30 points, Leopards – who won the reverse fixture 2-1 – face a herculean task in their bid to finish inside the top 8.

Golden boot chasing star, Kepha Aswani, will hope he can pull away from the 12-goal club that includes John Marak Makwatta (Ulinzi Stars) and Wycliffe Ochomo (unattached).

-Additional reporting by Godfrey Ashiali