The coach believes youngsters are the future of Harambee Stars.
Sofapaka head coach David Ouma aims to help Kenya become competitive at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) by giving young players chances at his club.
Kenya bid to co-host the 2027 AFCON alongside her East African neighbors Tanzania and Uganda. Nick Mwendwa recently revealed plans to make Harambee Stars become competitive enough by that year, should they win the bid which will make them automatically qualify.
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Ouma fielded three youngsters against a vastly experienced and star-studded Kenya Police.
Sofapaka have underwhelmed this season. They are 12th on 35 points with just four games left to play. However, Ouma insists that he is preparing the future of his club, as well as Harambee Stars by heaping praise on his young players, including Ben Stanley Omondi and South Sudanese winger Adis Panoam.
“We need younger players in the league and push them to become national team players and also compete with men outside there,” Ouma said.
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“At my team, Ben Stanley and Adis Panoam are there,--These are 18, 19-year-old players–,” he said. "Yes, I can be disappointed that I lost the league and got knocked out of the cup earlier–I normally tend to lose finals—,” he added.
“However, I will celebrate if I can bring a younger player and integrate him into the Premier League. Why am I celebrating these two boys? Because they took the challenge.”
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Ouma is full of praise for the maturity his young players have shown, especially attackers Omondi and Panoam. He nonetheless, has advised them not to get complacent and keep striving to improve and help themselves individually and collectively.
“I praise Ben Stanley Omondi regardless of the intensity of the Kenya Premier League. He has registered seven assists in the league and has three goals.
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The forward can join the club on a free transfer in the off-season transfer window.
“I have worked for both Harambee Stars and Harambee Starlets. I want to make him good enough for the national team. If Ben Stanley works properly, he will make it. If he works slowly, he is not ambitious.
“For me, he has to work hard in order to make the national team and play professionally. I do not want him to relax at Sofapaka. That is what I expect from him
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“I am proud of them despite the darker analysis people may have of them. Adis Panoam has one goal and three assists. Against KCB, he could have scored a fantastic lobbed goal, showing the quality he has.
“I am not satisfied with our season. I am planning for next season by giving these players a chance. Even Levian (Ochieng’) who I signed from Equity, needs to take the chances I am giving him.”