The 2009 Kenyan Premier League champions Sofapaka have recaptured Bernard Mang’oli from AFC Leopards on a two-year deal following the expiry of his contract.
Mang’oli decamps to the high spending ‘Batoto Ba Mungu’ on a free transfer and joins the list of the hotly sought after players who appended their signatures on paper for the club. Sofapaka are basking in riches after striking a Sh50m million deal with sports betting firm, Betika recently.
Mang’oli , who skippered Leopards for a number of seasons, rejoins a side he played for in 2014 before going back to Ingwe, who he guided to winning the 2013 GOtv Shield over their fierce adversaries Gor Mahia. He also guided his side to a second finish in the inaugural SportPesa Super Cup tournament. He made it to the national team, Harambee Stars in 2012 and boasts a number of national caps .
Confirming his signing, Sofapaka’s president Elly Kalekwa said: “He is already in the team and he is joining us on a free transfer after his contract with Leopards expired. He has signed a two-year deal and it is our believe that the experience he has in the Premier League will be translated on and off the pitch and will impact positively on our side.
A fall out with the then head coach Luc Eymael in 2014 saw Mang’oli loaned to Sofapaka for six months. He returned to Leopards at the end of his loan spell and was handed the armband till recently when he joined ‘Batoto Ba Mungu’.
Mang’oli’s arrival will add the required pace and skill in Sofapaka, midfield where, the role of supplying ammunition to the recently acquired striking duo of
Timothy Luda and Feni Ali, awaits him as well as assisting in defending. Mang’oli joins Homeboyz duo of Meshack Karani and Abdulatif ‘Achkobe’ Omar who signed for Sofapaka as well as Ugandan import Feni, Marvin Otinya, who decamped from second tier Palos, Wesley Onguso, who was captured from Western Stima, Chemelil Sugar duo of Willis Ouma and Hillary Echesa, Ricky Onimbo from Wazito, Luda from Thika United and Vincent Otindo who is an academy product.
Confirming the closure of transfer business, Kalekwa said: “We have closed business as far as signings are concerned and we believe those who brought on board will add value to the team in the remaining bit of the season. We have signed quality players to contest for the league as well as help us avoid the scenarios of last season.”
The impact of the new faces at Sofapaka was felt in their last weekend’s league clash when they beat Gor Mahia 2-0 with Luda scoring both goals.