Sofapaka defends itself against Bandari coach’s ball quality claims
Sofapaka FC has hit back at Bandari coach Ken Odhiambo after he accused them of using poor-quality ‘supermarket balls’ in their recent FKF Premier League match. In a statement released today, the club addressed the claims, highlighting the lack of standardised match balls in the league and defending their position on financial constraints. The statement also criticised Odhiambo for distracting from the actual game with his comments, adding fuel to the ongoing debate about the state of Kenyan football.
Sofapaka FC has fired back at Bandari head coach Ken Odhiambo after he criticised the quality of footballs used during their recent match. Despite Bandari securing all three points through Alfred Tanui’s goal, Odhiambo lamented the poor quality of balls in the league, arguing that clubs should invest in better equipment.
"I think it's about time we improve the quality of balls we use in the league. Teams should invest in high-quality footballs rather than walk into a supermarket and simply pick those of low quality. It's a bit shameful that we don't have standard balls that cannot even travel far when you kick them," Odhiambo said.
The Bandari coach did not hold back his criticism, suggesting that clubs unable to afford quality match balls should reconsider their participation in the top flight.
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"If you don't have money, then why should you be playing in the top tier in the first place? We need to get serious if we want to grow our football. We can't use that (lack of finances) as an excuse for purchasing low-quality balls. We should improve our venues... these are things we need to do if we want to get better," he added.
Sofapaka responds
In response, Sofapaka issued an official statement on February 12, addressing what they termed as demeaning remarks from their former coach.
"We have taken note of the remarks made by our former coach, now Bandari FC's head coach, Ken Odhiambo, regarding our financial struggles and the alleged use of substandard match balls during our recent away fixture. While we acknowledge that emotions run high in football, it is important to address such claims with facts and professionalism," read part of the statement.
The club clarified that, despite their recommendation to FKF to introduce a standardised match ball, the FKF Premier League currently allows clubs to use different brands of size 5 balls.
"Regarding the match balls, the FKF Premier League does not operate with a standardised brand. Each club uses different size 5 ball brands, including Bandari. We have recommended introducing a single official match ball supplier for league fixtures and training sessions to ensure uniformity," Sofapaka stated.
The club also dismissed Odhiambo’s comments as unnecessary and inaccurate, accusing him of shifting focus from the game.
"The claims by Coach Ken, despite his team being the home side, that our soccer balls were substandard are misleading. Such statements only serve as distractions from his coaching performance, despite leading one of the league’s most well-funded clubs."
Financial struggles across the league
Addressing the issue of finances, Sofapaka pointed out that financial constraints affect most FKF Premier League clubs, including Bandari.
"Financial challenges are a reality for many clubs, including his own. Privately owned teams are navigating even tougher financial situations, so using this as a post-match narrative is unnecessary," the statement read.
Sofapaka concluded by calling for professionalism and respect in the sport.
"Football is a game of results, and while emotions run high after matches, we remain committed to respecting the sport and our opponents. As the 2009 Kenya Premier League champions, we will continue upholding the integrity of the game and working towards the growth of our club and Kenyan football."
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