Sofapaka skipper Humphrey Mieno is convinced they will pummel second-tier side Naivas in the eagerly awaited playoffs to regain their slot in the Kenyan Premier League.
Mieno spoke a day after the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) disclosed dates for the 2024 Kenyan Premier League promotion playoff between Naivas and Sofapaka.
"We are eager to play in the KPL next season because that's where we belong. Playoffs are always tricky affairs but we shall do our best to beat our rivals in both fixtures," Mieno remarked.
"The morale at the camp is high and we have psyched ourselves for the match. We all feel awful about finding ourselves in this scenario but we can't allow our poor show in the league to dampen our spirits," he added.
The sides will flex muscles in the first leg at the Police Sacco Stadium on Saturday before settling scores during the second leg at the Dandora Stadium on July 14.
The experienced midfielder, who previously plied his trade for Tusker, Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards, said they have rummaged through the archives for sufficient ammunition to gun down their opponents.
"We have done our homework well and know exactly what to expect and what we should do to contain and defeat our opponents," Mieno stated.
FKF set the rules of engagement in a letter issued earlier.
"The winner on aggregate will secure a slot on the top-flight stage in the new season which is set to begin in August," the letter read in part.
"If the aggregate score is tied after regular time in the second match, the team with the greater number of away goals will be declared the winner," it added.
The match will be decided by post-match penalties if the sides tie on both aggregate and away goals.
Naivas is seeking a maiden promotion to the top-tier league after amassing 76 points and finishing third in the closely-contested 2023/24 National Super League season.
Sofapaka will be fighting to avoid relegation after finishing 16th in the 2023/24 FKF Premier League season with 36 points.