Burundi's Haringingo takes over from Ouma as Sofapaka coach

Sofapaka President Elly Kalekwa (left) unveil New head Coach Francis Haringingo Christian and Newly appointed Sports Director David Ouma during the unveiling of Sofapaka Football Club's new head coach, assistant coach and new players ahead of the FkF Premier League 2023/2024 season at the Marist University Grounds in Karen. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Sofapaka have unveiled Burundi’s Francis Haringingo Christian as the team’s new head coach, replacing David Ouma who now assumes a new role as the club’s Sporting Director.

Haringingo has a rich coaching career that spans over 10 years of which he was in charge of a number of teams including Kiyovu, Mukura, Messager, and Vital’O.

He will be assisted by Pablo Nduwimana.

“I’m happy to be at Sofapaka as the new coach. I have heard a lot of brilliant stories about this team and it’s every coach’s dream to be associated with a brilliant club like this,” Haringingo said.

He added: “I have silently been watching the team’s training and I am very impressed with the talent here. We can make a formidable side if we make this talent and the hardwork count.”

Meanwhile, highly rated striker, Burundian international Fiston Abdul Razak has returned to the team, seven years after he left the club for South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns in a record Sh37 million deal.

Razak who has previously been feted as the best locally-based African player is among 17 new faces at the club.

“It feels good to be back at Sofapaka after seven years. This team is like a family and it is where I honed my skills, I could never forget it and its an honour to be back to help them win the local trophies and help them qualify for Champions League football next season,” Razak told said.

He added: “After gaining vast experience in several top leagues, I feel this is the right time to offer my experience and skills to steer Sofapaka back to glory days.”

After leaving Sofapaka in 2015, Razak also had stints with Bloemfontein Celtic, Al-Zawraa (Iraq), JS Kabylie (Algeria), ENPPI SC (Egypt), Yanga (Tanzania) and Olympique Club de Khouribga of Morocco.

Former Mathare United’s red-hot striker Daniel ‘Van Persie’ Otieno, Bandari forward Darius Msaga, former Mathare United captain Khalid Juman, talented winger Oliver Maloba (Nairobi City Stars) and veteran striker John ‘Softy’ Ndirangu have also joined the 2009 league champions ahead of the new season in which they are expected to kick-off their campaign against champions Gor Mahia