Sofapaka vow against legal action despite witchhunt claims

Sofapaka FC will not institute legal action against Football Kenya Federation (FKF) for irregular suspension, club President Elly Kalekwa announced on Thursday a day after their reinstatement to the Kenyan Premier League.

The Sports Disputes Tribunal nullified FKF’s decision to relegate the 2009 champions to the lower National Super League (NSL) for failing to comply to CAF licensing requirements after  flaws were found in the system used to grade clubs.

Kalekwa’s announcement comes in the backdrop of earlier claims made by the Sofapaka boss that FKF’s move had been motivated by a political witch-hunt against his club and Muhoroni Youth who had suffered a similar fate.

“Unless someone had other issues that were not mentioned then, we did everything we were required to. If someone thought Sofapaka and may be Muhoroni are the weaklings to use to fix their agenda I’m sorry, we are strong in our own ways,” an agitated Kalekwa said at the time.

But the Congolese founder of Sofapaka struck a more conciliatory tone at the Eastleight High School where he had convened a press briefing as he asked federation boss Nick Mwendwa to extend the CAF licensing compliance window.

“We are not fighting club licencing but instead are requesting the FKF for more time to ensure we comply. Every club should have its own standards concerning management. I can say we have met not come to that spot yet but it’s our goal and with time, we are getting there so we’re calling for more patience,” Kalekwa told Citizen Digital.

Still brimming with the joy of being reinstated to the KPL, Kalekwa commended the John Ohaga-led tribunal for handling their case with ‘wisdom’ while stating his desire to see the club’s season kick-off after a period of uncertainty that had stripped left his players’ morale.

“I know this has not been easy but we are finally here. I thank all our fans for sticking with us through this and for their patience. We are happy to be back in the league and we are ready to work with KPL  to take this team to greater heights.”

Sofapaka will launch their 2017 season against Sony Sugar on Saturday.

-Report by Phyllis Kochwa.