S. OchiengSofapaka boss heaps praise on budding duo, calls for more infusion of youngsters in the league
Reading Time: 3min | Mon. 15.05.23. | 22:24
The head coach made the sentiments after their barren draw against KCB
Sofapaka head coach David Ouma has asked for more young players to be included and given a chance in the league in a bid to expose the players to top flight football as early as possible.
Speaking after their barren draw against KCB On Monday afternoon at the Kasarani Annex, the tactician, who used his budding duo of Ben Staley Omondi and South Sudan international Jacob Addis Panoam as examples, urged other managers to help set a foundation for the national team by exposing these youngsters at the expense of aging players.
🔵AGREEMENT
— Sofapaka FC (@FC_Sofapaka) September 18, 2022
🗞️Sofapaka has reached an agreement to acquire the services of Ben Stanley and Lucky Musyoka, formerly of Migori Youth. They join the club on a long-term deal after a successful one-month training period and are expected to boost the team in the attacking positions. pic.twitter.com/TrhnE3a16f
Ouma, who has previously held stints as the Harambee Stars assistant coach and the Harambee Starlets boss in the past, made the sentiments on the back of the country’s bid to stage the Africa Cup of Nations in 2027 alongside neighbours Uganda and Tanzania.
“Ben Stanley and Adis Panoam are just 19 and 18 years. I can be disappointed that I wanted to fight for the league and the cup competitions this season which we have not done but I celebrate if I can bring a young player and integrate them in the top-flight league.
I am happy with these boys because they took the challenge and embraced it. Ben Stanley has seven assists and two goals while Addis has three assists and a goal at this moment regardless of the intensity of our league.
I have been at the national team before and my main aim is to make players for that level. And for us as a country to be playing in the 2027 AFCON like we are bidding, we need these young players to be playing in the top flight right now.
Check who's back!
— Sofapaka FC (@FC_Sofapaka) March 13, 2023
Adiss Jacob has rejoined the group after a successful stint with the South Sudan Under-20 national team, helping Bright Stars reach the quarterfinals of the just concluded AFCON 2023 Under-20 tournament.
Welcome back Adiss.@OyandoRonny#BatotoBaMungu pic.twitter.com/ePSLp7jtMv
He (Stanley) now has to work hard to get to Harambee Stars and to play professional football but overall, I am proud with their progression,” the head coach said.
The 18-year-old Panoam, who represented South Sudan in the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, joined Sofapaka in January directly after completing his education at Dagoretti High School.
Stanley joined Batoto Ba Mungu from National Super League side Migori Youth back in September 2022 and is playing his first season in the top flight.
