South Sudan international Koal completes move to Sofapaka

He is only 18 and has been highly praised by Sofapaka’s technical bench officials for the mature head he has on such young shoulders.

Despite his relatively diminutive stature, the South Sudanese under-20 international is a close dribbler who is capable of dealing with physical tests against opponents with bigger physiques.

Another attribute is that he can play anywhere across the backline, despite primarily being a left-back.

Meet Batoto Ba Mungu’s new kid on the block Jacob Adis Koal who is part of the team’s deliberate policy to majorly invest in youth in a bid to reclaim the title that the team last laid its hands on in 2009.

Born and brought up in Kenya, Koal morphed from a shy, young boy to become an instant hero and it’s his defensive solidity and versatility while turning out for Dagoretti High School, popularly known as Ditchez, which impressed Sofapaka scouts who were only too eager to recommend him to Head Coach David Ouma.

“I watched the boy during the school games and was convinced that he was the right material to grow with the team. He has immense potential, has a mentality that stands out the most and it was only in order that we snap him and nurture the talent to the benefit of the team,’’ offered Ouma.

Born to Sarah Nyayual and her late husband Panoal Koal, the prodigy was enrolled at Roysambu Primary School in Nairobi before joining Dagoretti where he served as the fulcrum of the team which he led to retaining the 2018 Nairobi Region Secondary School Under-19 sub county title after beating   Dagoretti Mixed 5-1.

But exactly how does Kuol feel to join a big team like Sofapaka at such a tender age?

“Oh!, that was amazing! I couldn’t wait to break the news to my parents. Right from when I joined Secondary School, people kept on telling me that I’m a potential signing for European teams and I want to prove exactly that.  I hope to continue with my impressive trajectory and hopefully help Sofapoka to several titles,” said Kuol.

The breakthrough by Dagoretti was the least surprising since the team had in their ranks other players who would then make major strides in their careers.

Besides Koal, other key players for Dagoretti then were Peter Oddo and Joshua Onyango, both of who are currently at Gor Mahia Youth team, and Boniface Mwangemi who plays for Bandari.

Koal’s talent was discernible right from when he featured for his neighbourhood team Zimmerman Youth at the Koth Biro Tournament in Ziwani and the turning point came in 2019 when the team reached the semifinals where it lost 3-1 to hosts Umeme Bees.