Sofapaka FC’s stand-in coach, Ezekiel Akwana, and captain Humphrey Mieno have labeled the FKF Premier League/NSL playoff against Naivas FC as a crucial battle for survival.They emphasized that the team will give their all to secure their top-flight status.The 2009 league champions find themselves fighting to avoid relegation after finishing 16th on the log.Batoto ba Mungu will face Naivas FC, who finished 3rd in the National Super League (NSL).The first leg of the two-legged playoff will be played on Saturday at the Police Sacco Grounds, with Naivas as the home team.FKF Division Two: Soy United to face Hillside in Western mini league deciderEarlier this week, Sofapaka lost their coach, Zedekiah Otieno, to Gor Mahia, where he decided to return to his boyhood club as an assistant coach.The burden of keeping Sofapaka in the league now rests with Akwana, who was Otieno’s deputy.Akwana admitted that featuring in the playoff was not in their plans for the season, but they will have to fight hard against the Collins Omondi-led Naivas to remain in the top tier.“We were hoping to avoid the playoffs, but now that we’re here, we have to give it our all. Saturday will be a serious survival battle, and we’ll put in our best effort. One foot is still in the Premier League, but the other is out,” he said.Captain Mieno echoed Akwana’s sentiments, acknowledging the challenge ahead. He added that they are mentally ready and motivated to maintain their top-flight status.”Mentally, we are prepared. I hope we can continue from where we left off against Nzoia Sugar. We know Naivas is a very good team and highly motivated to get promoted to the Premier League. On our part, we want to maintain our Premier League status, so it will be a tough game, but we are ready and hopeful for a win,” he stated.Mieno also urged the club supporters to turn out for one last push and play a part in keeping the team in the league.”It hasn’t been an easy season for any of us, but I urge the fans to come and support us. Let them come and push us past this hurdle so we can maintain our KPL status,” he added.##NAJAVA_MECA_8197855##
