Kigonya punishing fellow goalies, relishes scoring: Sofapaka goalkeeper relishing penalty-taking role

MATHARE UNITED FC VS SOFAPAKA FC Sofapaka FC goalkeeper Mathias Kigonya takes a penalty kick against Mathare United FC during their Kenyan Premier League (KPL) match at the Kenyatta stadium in Machakos on February 25, 2018. Mathare FC won 3-1.

The 23-year-old Ugandan has scored four goals in 11 matches.

Sofapaka goalkeeper Matthias Kigonya is relishing the sight of his fellow goal minders suffering in his hands.

The Ugandan shots-stopper has scored four goals, all from the penalty spot, and is hungry.

“It is unfortunate for the rest of the goalkeepers because I am the designated penalty taker for my team,” Kigonya told Standard Sports yesterday.

The league’s top scorer is Nzoia Sugar’s Elvis Baranga Rupia, who has scored eight goals, two more than AFC Leopards’ Ezekiel Omulo Odera.

“I am not really excited by the prospects of topping the charts,” Kigonya said when asked if he would challenge for the sharp shooters’ accolade at the end of the season.

“The job of scoring goals belongs to the strikers and for me it is to keep them out of the net. However, I believe in my ability because I have scored not only from penalties but also from free-kicks at my previous club,” said Kigonya, who was signed from Bright Stars Kampala in 2016.

Sofapaka, fifth in the league with 17 points, have blown hot and cold this season, leading to the resignation of coach Sam Ssimbwa who claimed he was being undermined within the club.

CAMEL’S BACK

A 2-1 loss away to Thika United broke the camel’s back and the Ugandan tactician opted to quit.

His assistant John Barasa has stepped in and oversaw a 1-1 draw at home to Sony Sugar on Sunday.

Kigonya however refused to be drawn into dressing room politics, saying it would be unfair to comment on his fellow countryman.

“We will overcome the current setback as a team. All I know is that the team is united. There is always a change in the system when a new coach comes in. We already saw that with the stepping in of coach Baraza.

We try to play from the back, pass the ball and get everyone into play, but of course there will be challenges,” the 23-year-old goalkeeper said.

Kigonya believes the dip in form of star striker Umar Kasumba is partly to blame for the inconsistent results, but backed him to rediscover his best.

“He is one of the hard working attackers in the team. He proved last season that he is one of the best strikers around,” he said.

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