Sofapaka part ways with Haringingo after picking single point from 5 matches
Sofapaka yesterday lost their patience with Burundian coach Francis Haringingo as they showed him the door following their poor start to the 2023-24 FKF Premier League season, with the parties agreeing to a “mutual” separation after losing 2-1 to Nairobi City Stars in their latest league match.
Batoto ba Mungu have endured the worst start to a campaign by any club in the 18-team top flight, with four straight defeats from five matches played so far. Rooted at the bottom of the log standings, their latest 2-1 defeat against Nairobi City Stars on Saturday was the final straw for the beleaguered Burundian coach.
Sofapaka president Elly Kalekwa told People Sport that they had reached an agreement to sever ties with Haringingo, who joined the 2009 champions at the start of the season after guiding Rwanda’s Rayon Sports to the Peace Cup trophy, and he will be replaced by Ezekiel Akwana on an interim basis.
The Burundian becomes the second coach to be sacked early into the new season, after Francis Baraza was showed the door by Police FC last week.
“He is a good coach, but five matches without a win is not a good way to start the season and we held a meeting with him after the City Stars game, and he voluntarily accepted to resign,” Kalekwa said, adding: “In his position, Akwana will take charge on an acting capacity and I am confident he has what it takes to haul the team from the position they are in.”
The coach said: “We have had a mutual agreement to leave Sofapaka and I can say I loved my stay in the team, the players and the leaders are very loving. I understand every task has expectations and results, I’m sure I will ba back.”
Under Haringingo Sofapaka are stills winless having kicked off their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Gor Mahia, then lost four straight matches - 1-0 to Bandari, 3-1 to Posta Rangers, 1-0 to Ulinzi Stars and 2-1 defeat against City Stars to leave them at the bottom of the table. Meanwhile, Gor Mahia coach Johnathan McKinstry feels frustrated by KCB’s style of play during their 1-1 draw at Nyayo Stadium on Sunday. They are currently second on the table.
