By GILBERT WANDERA
Former Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions Sofapaka have sacked four players due to indiscipline and poor form.
Caught up in the chop is former Gor Mahia midfielder Collins ‘Gatusso’ Okoth who was released by ‘K’Ogalo’ early this season due to disciplinary issues.
Others who have been dropped are Hashim Mukhwana, Kanamuli Kapilima, and Hakim Ssekumba.
Sofapaka chairman Elly Kalekwa said on Wenesday, new coach Stewart Hall has indicated he does not need the players and they should be released.
“We had a meeting with the coach on Tuesday and he said the four are not needed because they do not fit in his vision for the future,” he said.
Kalekwa said the new coach has also indicated that he wants to maintain a lean squad of 24 players next season to ensure every player is used.
“He has made it clear that we do not need to keep a large squad yet we are not using everyone and so we will trim the team to a manageable number of just 24 ahead of the new season.
“This means that more players will be allowed to leave at the end of the season,” Kalekwa added.
Elsewhere, Tusker coach Robert Matano says he is happy with the team’s form after being in charge for four matches.
Matano said the players have grown in confidence and their status as champions will be enough motivation to retain the KPL title at the end of the season.
“When I took over, morale was low and there were also disciplinary issues, but I am glad that these have been dealt with positively and the team is now on track to retain the title.
“The players finally understand that they are the defending champions and therefore cannot go for anything less than the title itself,” he said.
Matano is also delighted that the team has found its scoring touch and believes this is a positive development.
The KPL champions were struggling to score goals and bowed out of this year’s regional club championships without scoring a single goal in Tanzania.
This led to the sacking of former coach Sammy Omollo and the appointment of Matano.
Matano has also insisted that the league is far from being won and pointed out all the four teams can lift the trophy.
“Five matches is lot of time. At the moment, no team are favourites as all the four top teams are capable of being champions. We are focussing on winning our matches and are not concerned by what is going on elsewhere,” he said.
