Sofapaka confirms the appointment of former AFC Leopards captain

Bottom-placed FKF Premier League side Sofapaka FC have bolstered their technical bench by acquiring the services of coach Francis Xavier as the new assistant coach to interim coach Ezekiel Akwana.

The former Eldoret KCC and AFC Leopards midfielder joins Batoto ba Mungu from National Super League (NSL) Mara Sugar, where he was the head coach. He served as Mara coach for 11 months, and he leaves the club at the top of the National Super League with 11 points after six rounds of league matches.

Akwana was earlier this month named Sofapaka interim coach after the dismissal of Francis Haringingo, and on Saturday he led the club to its first win of the season after beating Kenya Police 1-0. The team, however, still lies at the bottom of the FKF Premier League log.

The soft-spoken tactician spoke of his delight at joining the 2009 champions. He admitted that it was not easy leaving Mara, a side that he served as head coach for in a subordinate role at Sofapaka.

"First, I want to thank Sofapaka President Elly Kalekwa, together with the rest of the management, for giving me this opportunity to work with the former champions. I am elated to have joined a team with such a rich history in the country”.

“Yes, it was a tough decision to make, but I have never been the one to shy away from a new challenge. As a coach, I wanted to grow, hence my decision to join a Premier League club as an assistant. Akwana is a personal friend of mine, and we have worked together before. I have confidence that our combination will see the team continue posting positive results in the upcoming fixtures,” he added.

The former player and team manager at AFC Leopards believes that they will get the team out of the bottom of the table. He has previously coached Wazito FC, Vihiga United, and Mathare United.

“I know most coaches don’t like to join a team during these difficult times, but for me, I believe this is the time to prove what someone is made of. We have to train and prepare the team in order for them to start winning all their upcoming games. If the team plays according to the coaches’ script, after our next four to five games, we will be out of the danger zone,” he added.

Xavier’s first assignment as Sofapaka assistant coach will be against Tusker FC at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos County, on Saturday.

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