Burundian coach Christian Haringingo is hopeful of leading Football Kenya Federation Premier League side Sofapaka to success.

Batoto ba Mungu have faced dry seasons ever since they won the Premier League title in 2009, despite several changes in the technical unit and the purchase of experienced players.

As he takes over the head coach position, Haringingo, a former Mukura Victory and Rayon Sports tactician, hopes to lead the Kenyan club back to winning ways.

Ambitious Haringingo

“I always felt like a move to Kenya would be a step up in my career. Looking at the team’s plan, the players they have, and the investment they are putting in, everything points towards a good time here.

“What we intend to do here is win a cup this season.

“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 told the media when he was unveiled by Sofapaka president Elly Kalekwa on Wednesday, August 2, 2023.

In anticipation of the new appointments, David Ouma, who was hitherto the head coach, was redeployed to the Sporting Director docket.

Ouma is confident of a successful stint in his role, and he also revealed his ambitions.

“Of course, I thank God because you know everything is step by step. Of course, just the other day I was a grassroots coach, and again, based on the experiences I had coaching at different levels for the youth teams and, of course, building my portfolio to come and coach at the Kenyan Premier League, where I have handled Sofapaka, Mathare United, Posta Rangers, and Mathare Youth,

“I will try to develop youth teams for Sofapaka, and my target will be between U15 and U17 teams, and for me, I will also guide the team on club licensing to avoid what happened to Gor Mahia recently with CAF because my focus is to make Sofapaka reach the levels of Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa; that is where I will be looking to reach with the team,” Ouma said.

Sofapaka’s new signings

Ahead of the new season, Sofapaka have signed Abdoul Razak Fiston, Oliver Maloba, Mousa Omar, Khalid Jumaan, Baron Bchieng, Darius Msagha, Ian Simiyu, Christian Lubulu, and Lucky Mrabu.

Others who have been brought on board are John Ndirangu, Answar Shamuni, Andre Kalama, Jacob Osano, Stephen Otieno, Edwin Lutta, Brankline Masibo, and Daniel Otieno.