Sofapaka banks on young talent to reclaim glory days

Sofapaka CEO Ronald Okoth has unveiled the club’s long-term strategy, focusing on recruiting young, inexperienced players and handing them their Kenya Premier League (KPL) debut. This approach is aimed at nurturing raw talent into marketable stars while building a stable squad for the future.

“Our recruitment policy is not just about strengthening the squad; it’s about identifying potential and developing players who can make a name for themselves. Ultimately, we want to position Sofapaka as a club that builds stars and makes smart business moves in the transfer market,” Okoth stated.

The club’s recruitment process prioritises character and discipline, targeting young, hardworking players eager to develop their skills.

“When we are looking for players, we consider discipline and character. We want players who are eager to learn, hardworking, and have an eye for goal. We also want players who can use Sofapaka as a stepping stone to greatness,” he added.

To maintain squad stability, Sofapaka has adopted a policy of signing players aged 17 to 18, avoiding frequent signings every transfer window.

“We don’t want to keep signing new players every window. That’s why we are bringing in young, hungry players eager to make a name for themselves. This approach helps us build an extensive squad and maintain consistency in the upcoming seasons, which has been our main goal,” Okoth explained.

However, the club's journey has not been without challenges. Sofapaka began the season grappling with management and technical bench issues, as well as a transfer ban due to outstanding debts. Earlier this year, Okoth confirmed these struggles, stating that the situation had affected team morale and recruitment efforts.

“There was a lack of motivation, and we didn’t have a complete squad. The transfer ban made things worse since we couldn’t sign new players while losing others,” Okoth said.

The ban stemmed from debts owed to former Burundian players David Nshimirimana, Fiston Razak, and Moussa Omar. Despite these setbacks, Sofapaka managed to stabilise its operations after internal regroupings.

As part of their rebuilding efforts, Sofapaka has also focused on developing players for higher-level opportunities. A testament to this strategy is Edward “Ondimo” Omondi, one of the team’s FKF Premier League debutants, who recently received his first call-up to the national team’s provisional squad.

Hailing Omondi’s call-up as a significant achievement, Okoth said, “The inclusion of Omondi in the national provisional squad is a massive achievement, and it sends a two-way statement. It is not only a success for him as an individual but also for the club. His call-up not only boosts his confidence but also lifts the morale of other players in the team.”

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