Sofapaka tactician claims August award

Sofapaka head coach Sam Ssimbwa has won the August Coach of the Month award.

The Ugandan was presented with his award on Tuesday at the team’s training base in Eastleigh High School, Nairobi.

Ssimbwa fended off competition from Gor Mahia’s tactician Dylan Kerr after polling 18 votes against the latter’s six in a vote taken by the Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK).

The 50-year old Ssimbwa had a gone run in August guiding the Batoto ba Mungu to four victories and draw, scoring fifteen goals in the process.

As much as he stood head and shoulder high amongst his peers in August, Ssimbwa also had his fair share of drama, getting entangled in a brawl with Posta Rangers’ coach Sammy ‘Pamzo’ Omollo at the touchline in the heat of the game.

The Ugandan was presented with his award on Tuesday.

Their impeccable August run saw them sweep aside Muhoroni Youth 2-3 away and also dismissed struggling Thika United 3-0 at home.

Seven goal fest

A seven-goal thriller between Batoto ba Mungu and Nakumatt went Sofapaka’s way as they put five past the retailers. Their fourth victory came over Nzoia Sugar in a 3-1 win before Rangers held them to a one-all-draw.

“We started the league as underdogs but its commendable what we’ve have done, especially in the second leg. There is a slim mathematical possibility of getting to the title but Gor Mahia has a huge advantage,” the Ugandan said shortly after receiving his award, surrounded by his applauding players.

“I’ve won such awards elsewhere in Uganda and Rwanda and winning in Kenya gives me so much joy,” he said, adding that credit goes to his players who worked their socks off to record victories.