Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League side Sofapaka have confirmed they have parted ways with head coach Francis Haringingo after just two months in charge due to a poor run of results.
The Burundian tactician joined the team on August 2 this year to replace David Ouma, who was promoted to sporting director. He was deputised by compatriot Pablo Nduwimana and the duo had penned a two-year deal with Batoto ba Mungu.
The club announced the departure of the coach on their socials thanking him for the tenure he had served with the club.
“We wish to inform our beloved fans that head coach Francis Haringingo and Pablo Nduwimana have come into agreement with the club to part ways on mutual consent. Coach Haringingo assumed his role as head coach of the team just two and a half months ago and has been in charge of five games that we’ve drawn one and lost four in a row,” the official club statement read.
Sofapaka have lost four of their five Premier League matches under the Burundian and only managed a draw in the first league game against defending champions Gor Mahia. They currently sit rock bottom in the log with one point.
Although quite early in the season, the team currently faces relegation if the performance does not improve.
The statement went on to add that newly appointed assistant coach Ezekiel Akwana will take the helm of the squad as the interim coach and he would be assisted by Hillary Echesa.
“In light of these challenges, Akwana will step in as the acting head coach and he will be assisted by immediate team manager Hillary Echesa and is expected to lead the team in their upcoming match against Muranga Seal FC until further notice that will be announced by the club in the coming days,” the statement added.
The club further wished the coach success in his future endeavours and thanked him for the tenure he had served with the team.
Haringingo has a rich coaching career that spans over 10 years during which he has served a number of teams in the capacity including Kiyovu Sports, Mukura Victory Sports, Rayon Sports, and Vital’O all in Rwanda.
He also previously handled Vital'O FC and Messager FC in Burundi. He guided Rayon Sports to their first Peace Cup title in seven years earlier this year before making a move to the Kenyan premier league.
Club President, Elly Kalekwa, thanked the coach for his tenure and revealed that they had signed a number of players and it would take some time before they start producing positive results.
