By JAMES WAINDI
Coach Ezekiel Akwana has dismissed the ‘bad omen’ associated with winning the season’s curtain-raiser and tipped Sofapaka for success this season after their sensational Super Cup victory over Kenyan Premier League champions Ulinzi at Nyayo Stadium on Sunday.
There has always been a belief that the winner of the Super Cup, the equivalent of the English Premier League’s Charity Shield that normally pits league champions and Cup winners to curtain-raise the league’s kick-off, mostly end up not winning the local league title.
Tough luck followed the 2009 champions, who beat AFC Leopards during last year’s Super Cup and failed to defend their league title the same season, slumping to fourth position, but Akwana does not believe in prophecies.
He masterminded Sunday’s dramatic Super Cup victory, which saw the former champions
NO MAGIC
"Today’s football does not depend on prophecies or magic. It has to do with how much you have prepared your team and your performance on the field. I am a modern coach and I never believe on myths. We are going for the local title this season," said Akwana.
He said the club is focusing on making an impact on the continental level.
Sofapaka, who finished the previous season 12 points adrift of leaders Ulinzi, are considered the ‘Manchester City’ of the local league for their depth and quality players.
They are unbeaten in their last eight matches in all competitions and the tactician is optimistic of maintaining the same run in the league, starting with a win against their nemesis Mathare United on Sunday.
He noted that he would not have sacred cows in his team and promised to field players on merit to ensure victory for the former champions, who won the league in 2009 on their first attempt.
His decision to field 2008 top scorer and footballer of the year, Francis Ouma, instead of highly-rated international Bob Mugalia during the Super Cup tie raised eyebrows, but Akwana explained that Ouma was the better striker than Mugalia at the moment.
"During the past week, Ouma and John Baraza scored more goals in training than Mugalia, so I have to pick my best players for each match. Each player would have to fight for a starting place," said Akwana.
Mugalia has been a darling of the club president and the past technical benches, which guaranteed him first team place.
Ulinzi’s coach Nyangweso downplayed the defeat and said it would help him fix the loopholes exposed before they face Egypt champions Zamalek in the second leg of the African Champions League on Sunday and in their title defence.
‘I identified some few mistakes which we shall rectify before we face Zamalek, but the defeat would not affect our psychology in the league in anyway," said Nyangweso.
