Elly Kalekwa: Why Sofapaka parted ways with coach Akwana

Sofapaka President Elly Kalekwa has come out to confirm their decision to fire coach Ezekiel Akwana at the halfway stage of the FKF Premier League.

The struggling club confirmed the exit of Akwana following their 3-0 defeat to Gor Mahia in a top-flight fixture at Nyayo Stadium on Saturday, January 31, with assistant Abdalla Juma taking over on an interim basis.

Sofapaka are facing the axe this campaign. They are currently languishing at the bottom of the 18-team league table with 14 points from 19 matches.

‘It is unfortunate results are not positive’

“We took the decision to sack Akwana because of results, nothing else,” said Kalekwa as quoted by Flashscore. “It is unfortunate the results are not positive, and unfortunate that we have not won from the last 11 matches.

Ezekiel Akwana the head Coach of Sofapaka FC has been suspended from being the head Coach. The Assistant coach Juma Abdal will take over as an interim. pic.twitter.com/DwLowk33Lg

— Ole sankei SKS (@stanley_kamakei) February 1, 2026

“We felt a new bench could help turn around our fortunes. We want to win matches and lift ourselves from the bottom. It is a position that I don’t understand how we find ourselves in, considering the calibre of the squad we have.

“I have spent too much money to bring in quality players, but it doesn’t reflect with the performance, and our position on the log. So, we want to start a new chapter with a new bench, we want to make sure we win our matches.”

He added: “We have only played 19 matches so far, we can still save the situation if we start winning our matches, we have a number of matches to help change the situation for us.

“If you look at the table, the gap between the bottom teams is very small, so, if we manage to win the next four matches, then we will definitely be out of danger.

“Our desire when we started the season was to win the league, but now we are not in the position to achieve that. So, we probably have to do our best now and strive to move up the table. I have talked to the players, and they understand the task ahead of us.”

The last time Sofapaka won a league game was on November 10, 2025, when they defeated Posta Rangers 2-0. Since then, they have now gone 11 matches without a win.

Sofapaka Sack Ezekiel Akwana Amid Relegation Fears

The decision by Sofapaka to part ways with head coach Ezekiel Akwana marks a critical moment in the club’s season as relegation concerns continue to mount. Sitting bottom of the FKF Premier League table, the Batoto ba Mungu have struggled for consistency, prompting the club’s hierarchy to act decisively in a bid to arrest the slide.

Club president Elly Kalekwa made it clear that the dismissal was purely performance-based, stressing that the team’s inability to secure victories over an extended period left management with little choice. Eleven matches without a win is a run that few clubs at the top level can survive, particularly one with Sofapaka’s ambitions and investment.

Why Sofapaka Felt a Change Was Necessary

Despite assembling what Kalekwa describes as a “quality squad,” Sofapaka have failed to translate individual talent into collective results. The club’s position at the foot of the table contrasts sharply with expectations at the start of the campaign, when the target was to challenge for the league title.

The 3-0 defeat to Gor Mahia at Nyayo Stadium was widely seen as the final straw. Facing a title contender exposed Sofapaka’s defensive frailties and lack of confidence, reinforcing the belief that a change on the bench could inject fresh ideas and renewed belief into the squad.

Abdalla Juma Takes Charge on Interim Basis

Assistant coach Abdalla Juma has been handed the responsibility of steering the team through a crucial phase of the season. His immediate task will be to stabilise performances and restore confidence within the dressing room.

With only 19 matches played so far, Sofapaka still have time to turn their fortunes around. The club president highlighted the narrow gap separating teams at the bottom of the table, suggesting that a short winning run could dramatically alter their position.

Players Under Pressure to Respond

Kalekwa’s comments also place responsibility squarely on the players. Significant investment has been made in the squad, and the expectation is that performances must now match that spending. The message from the club’s leadership is clear: the squad has the quality to survive, but results must follow.

Players have reportedly been addressed directly, with the club emphasizing unity, accountability, and urgency as the season enters a decisive phase.

A Fight for Survival in the FKF Premier League

Sofapaka’s last league victory came in November 2025 against Posta Rangers, and ending that drought will be essential if they are to avoid relegation. The upcoming fixtures offer opportunities to collect vital points, but margins for error are now minimal.

Winning even two or three matches in succession could lift the club out of the relegation zone, underscoring just how tight the battle at the bottom has become.

Looking Ahead for Sofapaka

The sacking of Ezekiel Akwana signals a fresh chapter for Sofapaka, one driven by urgency rather than long-term planning. While the dream of a title challenge has faded, survival remains firmly within reach.

Much will depend on how quickly the interim coaching setup can galvanize the squad and whether players respond positively to the pressure. For Sofapaka, the coming weeks will define their season—and possibly their future in the FKF Premier League.