By Gilbert Wandera

Sofapaka’s Thomas Wanyama reveals that they could be tired from a demanding season but is confident they will pick up soon.

The league champions have won only once out of four matches and last weekend picked up an unexpected 1-1 tie against promoted side Mahakama.

Wanyama, a younger brother to Inter-Milan midfielder Macdonald Mariga, said the team has not had an opportunity to rest after winning the league last season and this may be taking a toll on the players.

Sofapaka players, from left, Salim Khamis, Laurent Nyumba and Bob Mugalia during their mid-week KPL encounter last Wednesday at the Nyayo National Stadium. Photo: Stafford Ondego/Standard

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"After we won the league, we had to travel to Tanzania for a regional tournament in which we reached the final. We thought we could get at least a few days off but that was not possible as we had to immediately start training," said Wanyama.

The team reached the final of the Tusker Cup played in Tanzania in December after, which they had to play against AFC Leopards during the season opening Super Cup match at Nyayo National Stadium.

"After the Super Cup match, we immediately had to embark on preparing for our opening match of the CAF Champions League tournament against Ismaily of Egypt and then the league. We have had no time at all to rest," he said.

stalled fortunes

Wanyama believes the team would have had a better start to the league if they had not been involved in all these matches.

"If we had had some rest after winning the league last November, we would have certainly started well. However, all is not lost and as we keep on pushing ourselves it is possible that the wins will start coming," he added. Sofapaka were eliminated from the Champions League by the Egyptians.

Wanyama said he hopes to start playing for the league this weekend after recovering from an injury he picked up in training.

Sofapaka takes on Thika United this Saturday at Nyayo National Stadium hoping for inspiration to revive their stalled fortunes.

Sofapaka President, Elly Kalekwa, also attributed the team’s poor start in the season to an absence of key players due to injury.

"We have nine players on the injury list and this has affected us but we will recover because it is still too early," said Kalekwa, a Congolese businessman.