Hum returns to Sofapaka
By Dennis Mabuka, September 7, 2023Former Harambee Stars midfielder Humphrey Mieno revealed his delight at signing for FKF Premier League outfit Sofapaka for a third stint after leaving Tusker FC at the end of last season.
Mieno, who turned down an offer to renew his stay with the Brewers, finally made a swift return to Batoto Ba Mungu on Wednesday where he signed a one-year renewable contract and will now be available when the team returns to league action after the Fifa international break.
He has revealed his happiness at rejoining Sofapaka, a club he featured for in 2011, before he left to sign for Tunisian side Club African, and then returned in 2012 before he was loaned out to Azam FC of Tanzania and later sold to AFC Leopards in 2014.
“It feels great to be back home, I call this my home because it is here at Sofapaka where I made my name to attract interest from other top clubs in the country and Africa. I am very excited to return again and I am itching to get started with the squad,” he intimated to People Sport after putting the pen to paper.
Mieno, who started in career with Mahakama FC, further hinted at his intentions to hang boots at the end of his new contract with Sofapaka.
“I have signed a one-year contract, meaning it will elapse at the end of the current season. And if I feel I have the energy to continue, then I will add another deal or hang my boots. It has been a great journey for me in football and coming back to Sofapaka is the best decision I have made–because this is where I belong.”
The former national team’s midfielder, in his first season with Sofapaka, made 26 appearances and scored one goal. He is confident that Batoto Ba Mungu, under new Burundian coach Francis Harigingo, have what it takes to wrestle the league title from Gor Mahia this campaign.
“I have signed for Sofapaka to help them achieve their season target of winning the league. I have seen they have reinforced the squad, and have a new coach. So, I strongly believe that with proper planning, we can achieve the target at the end of the season.”
The formidable midfielder has already won the league title with Gor Mahia and Tusker and his return to Sofapaka will see him battle for a starting role with Ndemi Keegan, Nigerian Sebastien Sunday, Roy Okal, and former Mathare United star Khalid Jumaan.
His arrival will be a huge boost to Sofapaka’s striking force as he will be relied upon to supply the killer passes to the front line attack led by new Burundian signing Abdul Razak Fiston and Darius Msagha, who joined the side from Bandari FC.
Sofapaka are currently sitting 13th on the 18-team league table after amassing one point from only two matches. They kicked off their campaign with a 1-1 draw against champions Sofapaka, in a game they dominated but failed to utilise their chances before going down 1-0 against Bandari.
Mieno will be in line to start for Sofapaka when they resume league action against Posta Rangers at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on September 17.