Sofapaka President Elly Kalekwa remains confident that the club will avoid another relegation battle in this season’s Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL).After narrowly surviving relegation last season to extend their 16-year stay in the top flight, Batoto ba Mungu have begun the current campaign poorly, losing their first two matches.Despite their slow start this season, Kalekwa remains unfazed.##NAJAVA_MECA_8342441##”We are very safe, and there’s no need to panic. The first two matches didn’t reflect our true potential since we played without most of our new players,” Kalekwa told SportsBoom.com.”We have a good team, and I’m confident we won’t be in the same situation as last season.”He added: “I promised myself after last season that I wouldn’t let Sofapaka face relegation again. I assure our fans that we won’t be fighting for survival this time.”Despite bringing in former Tusker FC head coach and four-time Premier League winner Robert Matano, Sofapaka suffered a 1-0 defeat to the Brewers on Saturday 24 August, followed by another 1-0 loss to FC Talanta on Saturday 14 September.##NAJAVA_MECA_8342674##Though it is still early in the season, Sofapaka currently sits at the bottom of the 18-team table with zero points from two games.In addition to Sofapaka, reigning champions Gor Mahia and Mozzart Bet Cup winners Kenya Police FC have also yet to earn a point.Their matches were postponed due to their involvement in the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup.Meanwhile, Ulinzi Stars lost their opener 1-0 to Murang’a Seal and are yet to play their second fixture.Jackline Juma, head coach of FC Talanta has been named Coach of the Week for Matchweek 2 after leading her team to victory over Sofapaka FC in the FKF Premier League.She’s the first female coach to achieve this in the Men’s League.Congratulations to her! 👏🏽#RadullKE… pic.twitter.com/4AWK2UWrlw— Carol Radull (@CarolRadull) September 19, 2024 Last season, Sofapaka similarly started poorly, losing their first five matches.They fell into the relegation zone and had to fight for survival until the last day of the season when they barely managed to stay up.FC Talanta CEO’s ambitious plan to rival Gor MahiaThe club then faced National Super League (NSL) side Naivas FC in a two-legged FKF/NSL relegation/promotion playoff.The 2009 Premier League champions secured their top-flight status by winning the playoff 2-0 on aggregate, claiming both legs with 1-0 scorelines.Sofapaka’s next five matches include an away game against Mathare United on Saturday 21 September.They will then host Bandari on Sunday 29 September, face Nairobi City Stars on Saturday 19 October, take on Shabana on Wednesday 23 October and confront Kenya Police on Sunday 27 October.
