Sofapaka FC captain and Kenyan international Humphrey Mieno has experienced a stark contrast in his football career over the past year.This period has seen him navigate the highs of championship success with Tusker FC and the lows of a relegation battle with Sofapaka FC.After a successful four-year second stint with Tusker FC, where he captained the team to win the 2020/2021 FKF Premier League title, Mieno left the club in August 2023. He rejoined Sofapaka FC the following month, a club he considers home.His last season with Tusker had seen them lose the league title to Gor Mahia on the final day and the Mozzart Bet Cup to Kakamega Homeboyz in the final.##NAJAVA_MECA_8216336##“I am happy to return to Sofapaka, which is like home to me. I am looking forward to helping the team achieve its targets,” Mieno remarked upon his return.While at Tusker FC, Mieno was accustomed to competing for top honors, regularly finishing in the top three of the FKF Premier League and vying for the Mozzart Bet Cup. However, his return to Sofapaka presented a new challenge. Instead of fighting for titles, Mieno found himself in a relegation battle, leading the team through a turbulent season that ended in a dramatic survival playoff.Ex-Harambee Stars defender warns against complacency in AFCON qualifiersSpeaking to Mozzart Sport after Sofapaka’s 2-0 aggregate win against Naivas FC in the relegation playoff, Mieno reflected on the contrasting experiences:“It’s a whole world of difference. A time like this last year, I was fighting for two titles; the FKF Premier League and the Mozzart Bet Cup. It’s different in a way that previously the confidence was so high where we were winning matches, but this season it was low sometimes because results were not always as we expected. But I am happy that in the end, we retained our league status,” he stated.Mieno also expressed his relief at having successfully led the team through such a challenging season, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and his role in encouraging the squad, particularly the younger players:“Together with other experienced players, I had the task of encouraging the team and especially the young players. At some point, it looked like we were going to be relegated, and so it was important for us to come together and fight as a team. In the end, I am glad that we were successful.”Official: Ulinzi Stars coach Kimani departs club
