Sofapaka FC head coach Robert Matano has called on fans and stakeholders to remain patient as the club works through a difficult start to the FKF Premier League season. After their 1-1 draw with Mathare United on Saturday, Matano spoke openly about the team’s ongoing rebuilding phase and the challenges they face as they strive to find their winning form.
Despite Sofapaka’s efforts to secure a win, they fell behind to a first-half goal from Mathare’s Paul Kinyanjui. However, Benjamin Mosha’s 69th-minute strike brought Sofapaka back into the game, ensuring they left with a point. While Matano praised the team’s resilience and ability to fight back, he acknowledged missed opportunities and refereeing decisions that may have cost them all three points.
A Team in Transition
Sofapaka’s slow start to the 2024 FKF Premier League season has sparked concern among fans and club supporters. However, Matano was quick to explain that the team is still in a developmental stage and cannot yet be compared to the more established teams in the league, such as Gor Mahia, Tusker, and Police. Matano, who has previously coached these top clubs, emphasized that Sofapaka’s squad is made up of young, inexperienced players who are still adjusting to the demands of top-tier football.
“This is a young team. It is not like what Gor Mahia and Police have, or even what I had at Tusker,” Matano stated in his post-match interview. “Most of the players do not have the requisite experience in the FKF Premier League.”
Matano’s words reflect the reality that Sofapaka is a team in transition. With a new generation of players still finding their footing, the journey to consistent results will take time. Yet, Matano remains confident in the team’s potential, insisting that with continued effort and the right mindset, success is within reach.
Missed Opportunities Against Mathare United
The match against Mathare United encapsulated some of the challenges Sofapaka faces this season. Despite dominating periods of the game and creating several goal-scoring chances, the team was unable to convert these opportunities into a victory.
Mathare took an early lead through Paul Kinyanjui’s goal in the first half, capitalizing on Sofapaka’s defensive lapses. However, Sofapaka came out stronger in the second half, with Benjamin Mosha equalizing in the 69th minute after an extended period of pressure on Mathare’s defense.
Matano expressed both satisfaction and frustration with the result. He was pleased with his team’s ability to fight back but lamented their failure to finish the job. “We played well, especially in the second half, to try and get all the three points, but we could not,” he admitted.
In addition to missed chances, Matano pointed to certain refereeing decisions that he believed went against Sofapaka, potentially influencing the final outcome of the match. Despite this, he remained focused on the positives, particularly the team’s second-half performance, which showcased greater cohesion and attacking intent.
Full results from Match Week 3⚽️.
Game gani ilikubamba kabisa?#FKFPremierLeague pic.twitter.com/lvK49Nmkau
— FKF Premier League (@Officialfkfpl) September 22, 2024
Cohesion and Desire: Keys to Success
One of Matano’s main takeaways from the game was the need for more consistency in how the team approaches matches. He highlighted the difference between Sofapaka’s first and second-half performances, with the latter showing a much more aggressive and unified approach.
“We need cohesion in the team and play with the desire to win, which is what we saw in the second half,” Matano explained. His comments suggest that while Sofapaka’s young squad is still finding its rhythm, there are encouraging signs of growth and potential within the team.
Matano also praised the individual performances of some of his players, noting that several showed the ability to take on defenders and create goal-scoring opportunities. This willingness to push forward and attack is something Matano hopes to build on as the team moves forward.
Optimism for the Future
Despite Sofapaka’s winless start to the season, Matano remains optimistic about the future. The coach, who famously led Sofapaka to their first FKF Premier League title in 2009, knows what it takes to build a championship-winning side. He believes that with time, Sofapaka’s young players will develop the necessary experience and cohesion to compete with the league’s top teams.
“We are building a team. The growth will be gradual, but we will get there. I am not worried that we still do not have a win—the wins will come,” Matano assured fans. He emphasized the importance of patience and persistence, stressing that as long as the team continues to work hard and improve, their fortunes will change.
Looking Ahead: Sofapaka vs. Bandari
Sofapaka will face Bandari in their next FKF Premier League fixture on Sunday, 29 September. Matano sees this upcoming match as another opportunity for the team to continue their development and, hopefully, secure their first win of the season. Bandari, a strong opponent, will provide a stern test for Sofapaka, but Matano is confident that his side will rise to the challenge.
With the players gaining more experience and the team starting to gel, Matano is hopeful that Sofapaka will soon be back to winning ways. For now, he remains focused on the process, knowing that the results will follow as the team grows together.
Here are the table standings.#FKFPremierLeague pic.twitter.com/mZ1rdHauEg
— FKF Premier League (@Officialfkfpl) September 22, 2024
Conclusion: Patience is Key for Sofapaka’s Rebuild
As Sofapaka continues their journey through the 2024 FKF Premier League season, it is clear that this is a team still in the early stages of development. Under Robert Matano’s leadership, the club is laying the groundwork for future success, even if that success is not immediate. Matano’s message to fans is simple: patience.
The 1-1 draw with Mathare United highlighted both the challenges and the potential within the squad. With continued work on cohesion and a desire to win, Sofapaka will aim to turn these promising performances into victories. As they prepare to face Bandari, Matano and his young side will be looking to take another step forward in their quest for FKF Premier League success.
