FKF Premier League club Sofapaka FC will on Saturday afternoon seek to have one foot in the top-tier next season when they take on National Super League side Naivas in an all-stakes promotion/relegation-playoff first leg contest at the Police Sacco Grounds.The match, scheduled for a 1500 EAT kickoff, offers an avenue for Sofapaka, who finished 16th in the concluded Premier League season, a chance at staying in the division after flirting with automatic relegation.##NAJAVA_MECA_8197977##On the other hand, Naivas, who finished third in the second-tier, are aiming for a maiden trip to the Premier League, thus becoming the third NSL side to seal promotion to next season after Mara Sugar and Mathare United.In previous seasons, Premier League teams have emerged victors in such scenarios, a trend stand-in Sofapaka head coach Ezekiel Akwana wants to see replicated on Saturday.“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,” Akwana said on Friday ahead of the pivotal match-up.Akwana oozing confidence ahead of crunch Naivas match upHaving endured a tough spell this season, Batoto ba Mungu will be careful against a Naivas side that for much of the season – leading up to January – seemed destined to achieve automatic promotion.Under the tutelage of Charles Omondi, they finished with 22 wins and only six loses – the joint least in the NSL.Naivas FC clinch playoff spot, set to face Sofapaka for FKF Premier League place“We know Naivas is a very good team and highly motivated to get promoted to the Premier League,” Akwana added. “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.” Saturday’s game, as per FKF, will be Naivas’ home leg, while the second leg will be Sofapaka’s home fixture – to be staged at the Dandora Stadium on Sunday 14 July.Playoff FormatBoth matches will last 90 minutes, with the winner on aggregate securing a slot in the 2024/25 FKF Premier League.If the aggregate score is tied after regular time in the second match, the team with the greater number of away goals will be declared the winner.However, if the teams are tied on both aggregate and away goals, the match will proceed to penalties. The winner of the shootout will secure a place in next season’s top tier.
