KPL side hires a Portuguese coach

 

President Elly Kalekwa welcoming the new coach Divaldo Alves Kenyan Premier League side, Sofapaka has appointed Portuguese coach Divaldo Alves as their new head coach.

Alves replaces interim coach John Baraza who will move back to his assistant coach’s role. Baraza will be the first assistant coach while Mshagalusha Ndagano will be the second assistant coach.

The move comes a week after Batoto Ba Mungu signed a deal with Portuguese company, Living 3D Holdings Limited, in the deal, the company will cater for the Portuguese’s salary and that of five foreign players the club intends to sign.

New Sofapaka Coach Divaldo Alves

“I am glad to be here, this is my first time coaching in Africa but being a person who was born here in this continent, it is a great pleasure for me to come and work here in Kenya. I have been back to the continent many times before doing workshops with coaches in Angola, South Africa, and Algeria so finally coming to work here permanently is a pleasure,” the coach told the club’s official website.

He further expressed his satisfaction at the caliber of players currently in the team but promised to make a few changes.

“I have seen a bit of what the players are like from the training session and I must say I am happy with their technical ability in handling the ball, the passing and vision. Of course, there are a few things here that we need to change which is normal in football and I promise that we will work on it together, “he added.

Image result for sofapaka signs deal with portuguese company

“I know that the team has not won the league since 2009 but I am ready to say that we will do the best possible effort, to put our blood on the pitch just to see the team win a title this season. My philosophy is based on an attack. I am an attacking coach and I love to have the ball and score. This is my mentality of the game but also we must have a balance between attack and defense,”.

Club president Elly Kalekwa expressed his confidence in Alves’ abilities adding that the team’s goal is to end its decade-long quest for a Kenyan Premier League title.

“We are happy to welcome Mr Alves into the team. We trust in his ability and his experience and as a club, we have been attracted to his vision and what he wants to achieve. Our hunger is the league title because it has been a long time and we trust he will do it,” Kalekwa stated.

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