Batoto ba Mungu became the first casualties of relegation this campaign after their 2-2 draw against Mathare United at Kasarani Annex, and will now play in the National Super League (NSL) for the first time since their promotion in 2009.
The draw left Sofapaka sitting at the bottom of the 18-team league table with 18 points amassed from three wins, nine draws, and a whopping 18 defeats.
Sofapaka are the only team to have lost more matches in the top-flight followed by Bidco United, and Ulinzi Stars with 14 defeats apiece.
Manoah, who joined Sofapaka a month ago after leaving Mara Sugar, has said financial struggles, and losing key players during the FKF mini-transfer window, played a key role for the 2009 Kenyan champions to go down.
‘Confidence had dropped’
“When I came in, the biggest issue I found was the level of confidence within the playing unit. It had dropped to very low levels, and all this was caused by a lack of resources, which created a huge disparity,” Manoah told Mozzart Sport.
“The players really tried to show up for training despite the situation and pushed through, but the money issue played a very big part. I must commend them for remaining committed even during that period of uncertainty.”
Sofapaka, under the leadership of Elly Kalekwa, will be remembered for their entry into the top flight when they won the Premier League title on their debut. Prior to promotion, Sofapaka had won the President’s Cup in 2007, while still playing in the Nationwide League.
Manoah added: “The midseason transfer window was an issue because the club lost several important players during that period. Due to financial incapability, they were unable to attract quality replacements who could help the team survive relegation.
“When we came in, after assessing the situation, we started preparing the group for the eventuality we had foreseen, especially the possibility of relegation.”
Manoah warns against disbanding club
Manoah is, however, confident Sofapaka will earn straight promotion from the National Super League just like Mathare United, and KCB did after being axed.
“The club has a good crop of young players and, if they are kept intact, they can form a solid foundation for an immediate return to the Premier League. Hopefully, the management will keep the club together and not disband it,” offered Manoah.
“We have seen major clubs such as Mathare, KCB, and Bandari go through relegation before restructuring and coming back stronger, so this can also become an opportunity for Sofapaka to rebuild.”
Sofapaka’s golden era included the 2009 KPL title, two FKF Cup triumphs (2010, 2014), and two Kenyan Super Cups (2010, 2011), a legacy that now contrasts sharply with their current downfall.
The Nairobi-based club made history in 2011, becoming the first Kenyan club to eliminate an Egyptian side from a CAF continental competition. In the second round of the CAF Confederation Cup, Sofapaka defeated Ismaily SC from Egypt 4-0 at Nyayo Stadium.
After losing the first leg 2-0 in Cairo, Sofapaka won 4-2 on aggregate to advance. This victory broke the long-standing “Egyptian jinx” where Kenyan teams had previously failed to overcome Egyptian opposition.
During the 2023-24 season, Sofapaka survived relegation by a whisker after they played in the play-offs to keep their status. Sofapaka had finished the season in the automatic relegation position – 18 – and were drawn to face Naivas FC.
Sofapaka won the two-legged playoff 2-0 on aggregate to keep their status. Last season, they finished seventh with 46 points garnered from 11 wins, 13 draws, and 10 defeats.
