• Haringingo will open his reign with a clash against defending champions Gor Mahia when KPL kick off on August 26.
• Ouma also expressed a desire to steer the side to unprecedented heights, saying they would plan their strategy around the model of South African giants, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Image: HANDOUT
Kenyan Premier League side Sofapaka have appointed Burundian Francis Haringingo as their new head coach.
Haringingo, who will be deputised by compatriot Pablo Nduwimana has penned a two-year deal.
He succeeds David Ouma, who was promoted to sporting director. The Burundian gaffer joins Sofapaka from Rwandan giants Rayon Sports. He had previously held similar positions at Kiyovu, Mukura and Police FC in his country’s top-flight league.
Haringingo will open his reign with a clash against defending champions Gor Mahia when KPL kick off on August 26. Sofapaka finished 10th in the preceding season with 42 points from 34 matches.
The club lauded Ouma for doing an excellent job with the team last season and hailed him for landing a new role.
“We are pleased to inform you, coach David Ouma has now been elevated to the club’s sporting director. Congratulations Sir,” the club said.
Ouma said he would leverage his position to turn around the 2009 champions' fortunes. He also pledged to establish a supply belt of talent through effective youth development structures.
“I’m excited and looking forward to the new challenge. My immediate plan is to make sure that we have an excellent academy that can confidently provide us with quality players in the future. This is one of the components of all the successful clubs in the world,” Ouma said.
“Our program will rope in youths aged between 15 and 17 years.”
Ouma also expressed a desire to steer the side to unprecedented heights, saying they would plan their strategy around the model of South African giants, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Meanwhile, Ouma weighed in on Gor Mahia’s plight following their ejection from the CAF Champions League.
“I wouldn’t want us to suffer the same setback as Gor Mahia. One of my roles is to ensure that club licensing is done appropriately,” Ouma said.
The former Harambee Starlets tactician said he felt great to have come a long way in his career.
“I have risen to my current position through sheer determination and hard work. I coached many categories of grassroots clubs where I accumulated a wealth of experience as a youth coach,” Ouma said.
Ouma’s embellished rich portfolio boasts coaching positions held at Kenyan Premier League sides Mathare United and Posta Rangers. He was once at the helm of the defunct Mathare Youth.
Meanwhile, the club paraded a set of players freshly acquired from the just concluded transfer window.
Burundian striker Fiston Abdul Razak returns to the club with defender Mousa Omar, also expected in the country ahead of the new season.
Khalid Jumaan and Daniel Otieno join from relegated Mathare United while John Ndirangu, Ian Simiyu and Darius Msagha have been snatched from Nzoia Sugar, Kenya Police and Bandari respectively.
Jacob Osano joins from Nairobi City Stars alongside Stephen Otieno (Kakamega Homeboyz) to strengthen the goalkeeping department.
The club has also roped in midfielder Oliver Maloba (City Stars), Andre Kalama and Christian Lubulu (Kibera Black Stars) as well as Answar Shamuni, Lucky Mrabu, Edwin Lutta, Baron Ochieng and Brankline Masibo.