FKF Premier League: Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno Takes the Helm to Revitalize Sofapaka’s Season

• Sofapaka appoints Zedekiah 'Zico' Otieno as the new head coach
• Zico's arrival prompts a reshuffle in the coaching staff
• Batoto ba Mungu face relegation, with only 14 points from 16 games

Sofapaka has officially announced the appointment of Zedekiah 'Zico' Otieno as their new head coach, marking his return to the top flight since leaving KCB before the season kick-off.

The decision to bring in Zico is seen as a strategic move by Batoto ba Mungu to stabilise their performance after a challenging start to the current campaign.

Former Gor Mahia coach Zico's arrival has prompted a reshuffle in the coaching staff, with Ezekiel Akwana, who had been at the helm since Francis Harigingo's departure, now assuming the role of assistant coach.

In a statement released on their social media pages on Monday, January 1, 2024, Sofapaka expressed their enthusiasm about the new appointment.

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"We are pleased to inform our fans that, in a bid to boost the squad and the technical bench, we have appointed Zedekiah 'Zico' Otieno as the head coach of our team, assisted by coach Ezekiel Akwana," said the club on its Twitter handle.

The experienced tactician is set to be officially unveiled when the Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) resumes, with his first match in charge being a showdown against Bidco United on Sunday, January 7, 2024.

Sofapaka's decision to part ways with Haringingo in October 2023, following six consecutive defeats, led to Akwana taking charge. Although some stability was witnessed, the team has struggled to climb out of the relegation zone.

"The coach has faced challenges due to minor details derailing the team; he has been unlucky in most of the games we've lost,” a source close to the camp told Mozzart Sport.

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Sofapaka currently has only 14 points from 16 games. Batoto ba Mungu have lost the most games (10), one more than bottom-placed Nzoia Sugar.

Raila donates Ksh500k to ex-Sofapaka player

In November 2021, Sports Brief reported when then Presidential aspirant Raila Odinga donated Ksh500,000 to former Sofapaka player Wisdom Naya, who was facing amputation due to cancer.

The midfielder joined Sofapaka during the 2019 January transfer window and signed a three-year contract.

Nayah, voted the best player at the 2018 Copa Coca-Cola youth tournament, played some games for the club before Kenya's tier-one league was suspended as part of the COVID-19 containment measures.