Mara Sugar coach defends goalkeeper after costly error against Sofapaka
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Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 30.10.25. | 07:28
Otieno, who was making his Premier League debut, was at the center of attention after a late blunder allowed Batoto Ba Mungu to grab a dramatic 2-2 draw in stoppage time
Mara Sugar head coach Edward Manoah has come to the defense of his goalkeeper Stephen Otieno after the youngster’s costly mistake denied the Millers a famous win against Sofapaka in their FKF Premier League clash at Dandora Stadium on Tuesday, 28 October.
Otieno, who was making his Premier League debut, was at the center of attention after a late blunder allowed Batoto Ba Mungu to grab a dramatic 2-2 draw in stoppage time.
Mara had taken a commanding 2-0 lead through goals from David Owino and Timothy Ndayala, but lost control of the game in the closing stages, conceding twice to share the spoils.
In the 90+5th minute, Sofapaka won a free kick in a promising position that was swung into the area.
Otieno appeared to have safely gathered the delivery, but the ball slipped out of his grasp and fell kindly for Joseph Kuloba, who stretched to poke it into the net, crushing Mara’s hopes of a second win of the campaign.
Speaking after the match, Manoah refused to pin the blame solely on his goalkeeper, choosing instead to protect the debutant and encourage collective responsibility.
“The two goals we conceded were very easy schoolboy mistakes,” the veteran tactician admitted.
“But it was his first match, and sometimes we have to give him the benefit of doubt. Football is a learning process, though a painful one. We need to help him, not destroy his confidence.”
Otieno joined Mara Sugar in the off-season from Michael Olunga Football Academy (MOFA) and was among several young talents signed from the lower tiers.
Before that, he featured for Kisumu All Stars and Muhoroni Youth, building a reputation as a promising shot-stopper.
Despite the error on his debut, Manoah insisted that the club would rally behind the custodian to ensure he grows stronger.
“We are going to work hard not to destroy the confidence of that young man. It’s the responsibility of all of us, not just him,” he stressed.
Otieno had spent the opening four matches as a backup to Evans Omondi before finally being handed the gloves against Sofapaka.
His late error has since sparked debate among Kenyan football fans online, many questioning the nature and timing of the goal, but his coach’s public show of support may just be what he needs to bounce back.
