Sofapaka FC and head coach John Baraza have parted ways just three games into the 2020/21 season.
The 2009 league champions have not started their campaign well despite having quality players in the team. They started with a 1-0 loss away to Bandari at Mbaraki Stadium, before bouncing back to a 3-1 win over Western Stima.
However, they suffered a 3-0 loss to AFC Leopards last weekend and that is where the former striker’s fate was sealed.
“Sofapaka head coach John Baraza has been asked to step aside and his assistant Mike Mururi now takes over in an acting capacity ahead of the team’s next league fixture which will be against Kariobangi Sharks in Wundanyi,” Batoto ba Mungu confirmed.
“Physical Trainer Diallo Kwasi and assistant coach Martin Ndagano have also been dropped from the main team to the club’s youth team.”
Club president Elly Kalekwa has revealed the team is planning to take Baraza for further training.
“We have asked coach Baraza to step aside as we plan to take him for further studies either in Norway or Germany,” the Congolese businessman revealed.
“For now Mururi is incharge of the team as we prepare for our next match against Kariobangi Sharks and we will announce the new head coach anytime from tomorrow.”
The 46-year-old regrets the new development stating it is unfortunate they could not achieve set targets together.
“It is a hard decision to leave, this has been a family to me for years. From the bottom of my heart, I would like to honestly thank everyone involved with the Sofapaka family, the president, the playing unit, the CEO and the entire staff. They have really been an amazing family, I appreciate the support, the respect, the love that everyone showed me,” Baraza said.
“It is so unfortunate that all we had planned haven’t worked out as we had agreed. I leave wishing the team the very best now and in the future.
“To the club president Mr. Kalekwa I want to sincerely thank you for giving me the opportunity and more so trusting me with the position of head coach at this great club Sofapaka.
“The players kindly accord coach Mike the same and much more support so that the team can accomplish it’s season target.”