- Harigingo had previously worked at Rayon Sports
- Former coach David Ouma has been made technical director
- The club has signed 16 new players
Burundian Francis Harigingo has been named the new Sofapaka FC head coach, as the club looks to reinforce for the new season. This follows the promotion of immediate former head coach David Ouma to the position of Technical Director.
Harigingo, who previously coached Rayon Sports in Rwanda, has already began work with the 2009 Premier League champions. He comes in after resigning from Rayon, having led the to the Peace Cup title.
“He is a coach that we have followed for the last few years and know his progress really. He is a coach who has won a trophy in every country he has been in and as Sofapaka, this is the kind of coach we want; one that wins trophies,” said Sofapaka president Elly Kalekwa.
On his predecessor Ouma, Kalekwa said; “Ouma has served us well for the past two seasons and in any job, there has to be a promotion. We have decided to have him head the Technical Department and he will also be in charge of setting up our Youth and Women football structures because as you know, there are strict club licencing rules.”
Sofapaka on the lull
New Sofapaka coach Francis Harigingo and his assistant Pablo Uwimana
Sofapaka have been on the lull for the last few years, and have finished outside the top half of the league standings due to a combination of financial difficulties and a degradation of the playing unit’s quality.
But, Harigingo believes he has what it takes to have the club move back to the apex of Kenyan football.
“Sofapaka is a big club and I have followed it for a while. I know that we should not be where we are at the moment and I will do my best to raise the profile of the club. I am delighted to be here and hopefully we can work together to ensure Sofapaka is back on top,” said the Burundian coach.
He added; “For any big club, the measure of success always has to be the number of trophies you have won. So as I come in, I know the target is clear, to fight for titles. That is what I will chase for and I believe we have a team that can do that.”
Hefty 17 new signings arrive at Sofapaka
Sofapaka’s 17 new signings
The club has made hefty signings heading into the new season, with a total of 17 new players arriving. The list of arrivals is headlined by the returning Abdul Razak Fiston, who comes back to the club seven years after leaving for a record fee to Mamelodi Sundowns in 2015.
The club reportedly reaped Sh37mn from his sale.
“It feels good to be back at Sofapaka after seven years. This team is like a family and it is where I honed my skills, I could never forget it and it’s an honor to be back to help them win the local trophies and help them qualify for Champions League football next season,” Razak said.
He added: “After gaining vast experience in several top leagues, I feel this is the right time to offer my experience and skills to steer Sofapaka back to their glory days.”
Other new players joining the club include former Mathare United striker Daniel Otieno and skipper Khalid Jumaan, ex Bandari winger Darius Msagha, winger Oliver Maloba (Nairobi City Stars) and veteran striker John ‘Softy’ Ndirangu who has joined from Kenya Poluice FC.
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