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The Nairobian

Sofapaka chairman pays tribute to players after win over Gor Mahia

Sports

By - | Feb 05, 2013

By GILBERT WANDERA

Sofapaka chairman Elly Kalekwa has paid a glowing tribute to his players for winning Saturday’s Kenya Power Charity Cup at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

Kalekwa said the win is a sign of good things to come for a club that has struggled to win trophies since clinching the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) title in 2009.

“I’m really delighted by the victory because it gives us great confidence before the season kicks off. It can only be a sign of good things to come this season,” he said.

Kalekwa said the team is now going for the 2013 Kenyan Premier League (KPL) title and believes with the kind of players in their roost, they will achieve the dream of another title.

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“Our recruitment was thorough and we got some really talented and experienced players as well. We are the team to beat this season,” he said.

The team has brought back former international Titus Mulama and also signed Zimbabwean Obadiah Turumbwa among others.

First edition

On Saturday, Sofapaka needed post-match penalties to edge out Gor 6-5 and claim the first edition of the Kenya Charity Cup at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

The match had ended 1-1 in full time with Paul Kiongera scoring his first goal for Gor in the 31st minute, while Elly Asieche equalised for the winners to send the match to penalties. In the penalty shoot-outs Anthony Kimani, James Situma, Kokomo Manupi, George Owino, Collins Sivachi and Kennedy Oduor scored for Sofapaka. Gor scored through Rama Salim, Moses Odhiambo, Edwin Lavasta, Ivan Anguyo and Kevin Omondi.

On the way to final, Gor stopped Mathare United 2-1 while Sofapaka dismissed Western Stima by a similar margin.

Ugandan duo of Ivan Anguyo and Dan Ssrenkuma inspired Gor Mahia to the final with a goal each.

The match between Sofapaka and Stima was decided by a first half injury goal scored by Titus Mulama.

The former international was perfectly fed by Anthony Kimani from a back heel and his first time shot went past Robert Mandela in Stima’s goal.

It was, however, the losers who scored first in the 29th minute through Denis Onkangi with a perfect header that beat Duncun Ochieng in Sofapaka’s goal all the way.

Three minutes later Zimbabwean import Obadiah Tarumbwa leveled for Sofapaka with a fine shot that was calmly tapped home.

Return to brazil

Meanwhile, Brazillian striker Giovanni Rodriguez will return to Brazil after failing to be registered by Gor Mahia at the close of the Kenyan Premier League transfer window last week.

His agent Bernard Opondo said they are waiting for a final word from the Gor Mahia hierarchy before sending away Rodriguez.

“We are all very disappointed that he was not registered by Gor despite promises this would happen. Rodriguez was never given time to prove himself and it is shame that the club has lost an opportunity to sign a quality player,” he said.