Sofapaka head coach Ezekiel Akwana has laid out an ambitious three-year plan aimed at securing the FKF Premier League title for the club.
The tactician believes that the squad he inherited from his predecessor, Robert Matano, has the potential to grow into a championship-winning team without the need for major reinforcements.
The former Afc Leopards Coach has placed his trust in youthful talent, opting to work with players between the ages of 17 and 20 rather than signing more experienced players.
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“The squad that my senior, Mr. Matano, left me with is a good one, and I am ready to work with it for the next three seasons without any additions. These are young boys, and that is what I will be working with. I don’t want to sign players who are 26 years and above. Right now, we are only signing 17- to 20-year-olds because football is for young lads. If you trust them, they will deliver. I am certain they will make us proud, and Sofapaka will be in a good place,” Akwana stated.
With many young players making their top-flight debuts in the current Batoto Ba Mungu squad, Akwana emphasized that the best way to motivate them is by trusting them with playing time and instilling confidence.
“The only way I motivate them is by giving them chances, training them the way young lads should be trained, and showing them that without applying their youthful energy in the game, they cannot perform. My main role is to build their confidence and make them believe they can do it,” he explained.
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The club’s commitment to youth development is already bearing fruit, with six players earning call-ups to the provisional Kenya U20 squad for the upcoming AFCON U20 tournament in Ivory Coast. The selected players include Baron Ochieng, who was recently named Sofapaka’s assistant captain, alongside Meshack Odhiambo, Jack Ong’anya, Derick Khaemba, Charles Junior, and Wayne Otieno.
Coach Akwana’s vision for the 2009 Premier League champions is to be champions again in 3 years, “I am working on a three-year project, and I know that in the third year, we will be able to lift the title. For now, our goal is to finish in the top eight. In the second season with these young boys, we will push for a top-five finish, and in the third season, we will go for the title,” Akwana declared.
Currently, Sofapaka sits eighth in the FKF Premier League table with 29 points from 22 matches, having recorded seven wins, eight draws, and seven losses. The team has scored 21 goals while conceding 17.
The Kalekwa-owned side will be hoping to earn maximum points to keep their top 8 finish target alive this Saturday as they host debutants Mara Sugar at Dandora Stadium.
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