Sofapaka Coach Baraza Hails Slim KCB Win, Pamzo Picks Positives

4th March 2019

Batoto Ba Mungu came into the game on the back of a 2-2 draw with Kakamega Homeboyz FC and a 1-0 loss to Gor Mahia FC prior to the encounter

Sofapaka FC head coach John Baraza. PHOTO/Goal.com
Sofapaka FC head coach John Baraza. PHOTO/Goal.com
SUMMARY
  • Sofapaka FC head coach John Baraza lauded his team’s performance after they battled to a slim 1-0 victory over Kenya Commercial Bank FC (KCB) at the Kenyatta Stadium on Sunday afternoon
  • KCB were on a similar run of form and were undone by a stoppage time Umaru Kasumba penalty, condemning them to only their third defeat of the year, leaving them in 12th place with 16 points.
  • Sofapaka on the other hand are in fourth with 27, five adrift of league leaders Bandari FC who played out to a goalless draw against Mathare United FC in a top of the table clash on Saturday

NAIROBI, Kenya- Sofapaka FC head coach John Baraza lauded his team after they battled to a slim 1-0 victory over Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) FC at the Kenyatta Stadium on Sunday afternoon to move up to fourth on the SportPesa Premier League (SPL) log.

Batoto Ba Mungu came into the game on the back of a 2-2 draw with Kakamega Homeboyz FC and a 1-0 loss to champions Gor Mahia FC and the welcome victory left them five points adrift of leaders Bandari FC (32) in their quest to clinch a second league crown since 2009. 

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KCB were on a similar run of form and were undone by a stoppage time Umaru Kasumba penalty, condemning them to only their third defeat of the year, leaving them in 12th place with 16. 

SPL leaders Bandari played out to a goalless draw against second-placed Mathare United FC (30) in a top of the table clash on Saturday to open the door to the chasing pack to close in. 

“I want to thank my boys for their perseverance and good show, ensuring that we got all three points.  A win was the most important thing for us. KCB put up a good fight and despite the late penalty, I'm content with the result,” Baraza told SportPesa News

The 2009 champions have only lost once in their last 10 games and are very much in the hunt for the closely contested crown.

Moving forward

“We are back to winning ways and that’s very important for the club. The league is a marathon and we are all set moving forward, ready to pose a serious challenge for the title,” The former Kenya international stated. 

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“We have a tough game against Chemelil Sugar FC to focus on now; we need to ensure we continue with our good run moving forward,” the former two-time league's Most Valuable Player added. 

KCB assistant coach Sammy ‘Pamzo’ Omollo chose to focus on the positives, stating they are a work in progress and the 'lucky' goal they conceded will not do much to destabilise the team.

The bankers only boast one 2-0 win over Mt. Kenya United FC in their last five matches and will need to rediscover their winning formula if they are to achieve their target for the season.

“We had a good game. We had two great chances that we didn't use and we just need to be more sharp upfront in our upcoming games. 

“It was a lucky goal and unfortunate but this is football and such things happen. We are improving, that’s all that matters,” the former Posta Rangers FC head coach underlined.

The former Harambee Stars defender went ahead to disclose the clubs target of a top eight finish and insisted that it is very achievable if they can keep up with the good form. 

Their next assignment is a home fixture against Nzoia Sugar FC, who battled to a crucial 1-0 win against Tusker FC on Saturday.

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“We have to get maximum points against Nzoia, a win in that game has the potential to move us further away from the relegation zone and that is what we are going for.

“We have registered crucial wins against champions Gor and AFC Leopards SC this season and our top eight target is still in our sights,” Omollo insisted.