Sofapaka head coach Ezekiel Akwana is a delighted man after guiding his team to retain their FKF Premier League status following another 1-0 win over Naivas FC in the second leg of the promotion/relegation playoffs played on Sunday 14th July at Dandora Stadium.The 2009 Premier League champions were coming into the game on the back of a 1-0 win in the first leg and were determined to see the game off as opposed to Naivas who had to score at least a goal to keep any shred of hope alive of getting anything positive from the tie.Harambee Stars winger Ayub Timbe’s message after leaving Azerbaijan side Sabail FKAndrew Kalama’s goal in the 43rd minute sealed the win for Batoto ba Mungu and ensured that Naivas will have to endure another season in Kenya’s second tier, National Super League (NSL).Speaking to the press after the match, a delighted Akwana was thankful to his charges for a job well done##NAJAVA_MECA_8213888##“We had to fight with everything to win this match and remain in the league. That is what the boys have done today and I am very happy for all of us.” said AkwanaAkwana said that he was not under pressure in the second leg of the tie having exceeded expectations in the first leg’Bure kabisa’ – Sofapaka president Elly Kalekwa lambastes Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno in bare-knuckle rant“I was not under any pressure in the match. We won the first leg yet we went for a draw and therefore we now needed a draw instead of a win in the second leg but I am happy that once again we won to remain in the league which is the most important thing.”Akwana now says that he is focused to fight for the title come next season and preparations for that will be underway after they are done with celebrating their victory##NAJAVA_MECA_8213886##“We don’t want a repeat of this next season and so we will be preparing well with an aim of challenging for the title next season and not fighting relegation.”Akwana also took time to wish his departing players the very best in their endeavors. So far, Darius Msagha and Jacob Onyango who scored the lone goal in the first leg have confirmed that they will depart in search of greener pastures.
