KPL must treat all teams in the local league equally

Courtesy of The Standard

Even before the dust settles on the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) ‘war’ with Football Kenya Limited over the appointment of referees to officiate KPL matches, another can of worms has been opened.

Earlier, AFC Leopards were set to host Mathare United in a KPL tie at Coca Cola National Stadium on Saturday. However, the match has been allegedly switched to Kasarani, Mathare United’s home ground, a fact that has made Leopards to protest.

KPL management gave reasons that the sudden change of venue has been made to enable Supersport assemble their equipment for airing the match live at Kasarani since Coca Cola Stadium would not be available on Sunday.

Leopards suggested that they wanted the match played at Coca Cola Stadium even if it is not televised, a fact that did not go well with KPL CEO Jack Oguda who has decided to use Leopard’s protest as a secret tool to settle personal scores and intimidate the club.

In a stray e-mail from Oguda to KPL chairman Bob Munro, which was ‘erroneously’ sent to Leopards, Oguda said ‘They have hit the nail in the coffin." This begs the question: "Whose coffin and who made the coffin so that Leopards hits the nail in?"

The revelation speaks volumes about the underhand dealings that could have been happening in the local premiership. Should things continue this way, community clubs and others perceived to be ‘enemies’ of KPL top brass may not have a place in the KPL.

If there were any issues, the matter should have been tabled before KPL Management Board and not have KPL CEO seeking the opinion of an individual (chairman) which puts KPL’s credibility in question.

As things hot up, the wisest thing the KPL CEO should do is to step aside and let those with the interest of the game at heart manage the sport.

KPL's image on the line

Courtesy of Robin Toskin/The Standard Group

They may have spent a decade trying to build a credible, competitive Kenyan Premier League.

Yet by the click of a mouse, the KPL CEO Jack Oguda let out a cat — a big one for that matter, when a scandalous e-mail addressed to the league’s chairman, Bob Munro saying AFC Leopards "have hit the nail in their coffin" has left the league body rocking.

The officials, both in KPL and AFC Leopards were still haggling over the semantics of the phrase.

Leopards’ swift and hard-hitting response is worrying. Leopards chairman Alex ole Magelo, said: "The gloves are off. The correspondence with the chairman is in bad taste and it confirms our fears of certain people in KPL working to condemn AFC Leopards to a death bed," Magelo said.

Oguda was at pains to explain how the letter he authored strayed to Richard Ekhalie’s e-mail box.

He said: "I wrote the mail but the words in question do not mean what Leopards have interpreted. I meant that if such institutional clubs like Tusker are queuing for the SuperSport grant, what would be the effect on a community supported club like Leopards."

My take is that with such frosty relations between Leopards and the KPL and anybody related to Mathare United, utmost caution should be taken in dealing with arising matters.

It is on record that Leopards still feel aggrieved over the manner they were relegated. There is the matter of Nairobi City Stars and Leopards’ aborted match on February 8. Neutrals feel that all avenues should be open to allow aggrieved parties access all corridors of justice.

By insisting the Independent Disciplinary and Appeals Committee decisions were final and binding, it lends more ammunition to dissenting voices.

KPL would do well to come clear of what is going on lest that stray email open a Pandora’s Box that could plunge the premier league into turmoil.

AFC Leopards threaten to quit KPL

Story courtesy of Kenya Football


AFC Leopards have threatened to pull out of the Kenya Premier League (KPL) if their complaints are not adequately addressed.

Club Chairman Alex Ole Magelo cited poor officiating in their matches, substitution of referees at the eleventh hour without a valid reason and the haphazard changing of their match venue. The club boss further decried the IDAC rulings that KPL has made them final and unchallengeable.

Addressing a well attended press conference held at the State House Grounds, Magelo who was flanked by Club organizing Secretary Timothy Lirumbi and club treasurer Duncan Angode said they will not honour this weekend’s KPL match against Mathare United if it will be held at Kasarani.




He said even a layman knows the club home ground is at Coca Cola National Stadium and wondered why their weekend clash against Mathare United was being switched to the home venue of their opponents.

A bitter Magelo appealed to Football Kenya Limited (FKL) and the World Governing football body-FIFA to take a deep look in the running of the KPL to avoid turning the very sport of football into disrepute.

“We are deeply touched by poor officiating by the current trend of biased officiating. A case in mind is our match against Sofapaka FC at Kasarani when the centre referee disallowed an own goal citing offside which has never happened in the world.” said Magelo.

“It became more suspicious, Magello added, for my club when centre referee who had been assigned the match and even attended the pre-match session was substituted at the eleventh hour without a valid reason, only for the centre
referee in question to turn up for the match and mismanage it at our detriment,” said Magelo.

The club has also raised a red flag warning that they are reviewing their stand on the Supersport grants that appears meant to blackmail clubs and fix them in a corner. “Yes, I’ m putting it clear that we are considering pulling out of the grants scheme altogether and pursue individual sponsorship deals that will allow us to live again.” KPL has kept mum on various complaints raised by my club and now we are wondering why they have allowed the controversial Hope centre grounds to be used and yet it was condemned as unfit?” Wondered Magelo.

Sofapaka lead the KPL

KPL newcomers Sofapaka FC lead the KPL after nine rounds, dislodging Western Stima who now lie second after their 1-2 defeat to champions Mathare United on Sunday in Nairobi.

Returnees AFC Leopards registered their first win of the season, beating Sony 1-0 in Awendo to draw level with Gor Mahia at the foot of the table on 7 points, though Gor are in 15th courtesy of a superior goal difference.

KPL Round 10 is on at various venues this weekend and we will keep you updated.

Refereeing standards good but...

Courtesy of Gilbert Wandera/The Standard

By Gilbert Wandera

Football Kenya has defended itself against accusations that it gave a short notice to some referees to attend last week’s Cooper Test in Nairobi.

A Fifa Instructor’s report on local referees showed a worrying percentage of the whistlers are unfit.

Speaking on the matter, the head of the referees committee Aziz Mohammed argued that referees must be ready at any time to undertake the physical test.

"As a referee you must always be ready at any time to be called upon to do anything that pertains to your duty," he said.

He said referees were informed two days before the Cooper Test was undertaken arguing it was enough time for everyone invited.

He blamed Kenya Premier League (KPL) for the current standoff between the two associations and insisted it is FKL’s mandate to appoint referees.

Aziz warned of unspecified action against the KPL if the matter is not resolved soon including ‘suspending’ all the clubs taking part in the league.

"We are watching and have the powers to suspend the clubs for taking part in a league not sanctioned by FKL," he threatened.

Tusker coach James Nandwa complained that the absence of top Fifa referees in the premier league had initially affected the quality of officiating but there is now a slight improvement.

"Some referees were not up to the task and were clearly not ready to handle the league. That is why we need them to come together though right now there is a slight improvement," said Nandwa.

He expressed confidence that once the standoff is sorted out clubs will have confidence in the whistlers.

"The confidence is slowly coming back that is why a team like AFC Leopards can win in Sony but more needs to be done," he added.

Mathare United coach Francis Kimanzi while declining to comment directly on the performance of referees said he has noted some improvement over the last few months.

"You can see that those who mess commit genuine mistakes and there are those who are doing a good job," said Kimanzi.

Fans hang on despite Gor’s bleak outlook

Courtesy of The Standard

By Robin Toskin

Long after Gor Mahia were knocked off the local football pedestal in 1995, the last time they won the league, average K’Ogalo faithful are reluctant to acknowledge times have changed.

But after their 2-1 loss to KCB at Coca Cola, there was deafening silence punctuated by restrained catcalls aimed at players as die-hard fans trooped out of the Stadium.

A fan mused: "At this rate I think this team (Gor) should carry a health hazard warning. They play well and when you think they are about score, they conceded a goal. It is not good for my health."

Coach James Siang’a, who has come to symbolise heartache for demanding fans was miles away— amid speculation he had thrown in the towel.

Despised Coach

KCB’s Jacob Keli challenges Gor Mahia’s Solomon Nasio in a KPL match at Coca Cola Stadium on Saturday. Photo: Tabitha Otwori/Standard

Club secretary, Vincent K’Odera denied suggestions Siang’a had quit, as the former idolised K’Ogalo goalkeeper now despised as a coach refused to talk to media.

When Gor took the lead after four minutes via a sublime penalty kick by goalkeeper George Odhiambo, celebrations did hit reach fever-pitch decibels; rather it was the officials who stood longer than the fans to applaud the lead.

But after lightning strikes by Humphrey Mieno and fleet-footed Jacob Keli, trepidation replaced optimism.

Gor had never lost under stand-in coach Gideon Ochieng until Saturday and with him on the bench there was hope of a third victory in nine outings. It was never to be.

Shocking win

Interestingly, there was excitement, cheering and applause after word filtered through AFC Leopards had shockingly claimed three points at Sony Sugar, their first KPL win since 2006. Sebastian Muchera was the hero with a first half effort as Sony Sugar’s home form plunged to new lows.

Thika United once again emphasised why they are not ready to challenge for honours after a catastrophic blunder handed Tusker a 2-1 win on a silver platter. Though a gift of sorts, Tusker’s win was a reward for hard work far from Sofapaka’s last gasp 1-0 victory over Red Berets on Saturday.

Gedion Ambani’s Berets paid heavy price of a missed penalty after John Muiru was clattered in the box following Sofapaka’s suicidal defending. Champions Mathare United had to look up to their unsung hero Anthony Khadudu whose brace shook off round eight leaders Western Stima.

Mathare beat Stima 3-0 at Bukhungu late last year to virtually bag the KPL title but the Westerner’s seemed on course to avenge after a Mark Sirengo strike until Khadudu intervened with a brace.

Sunday's KPL action

Sunday's KPL double header at the Coca Cola Stadium was every football lover's dream. The match ups were sent from heaven. The early kick off saw 2007 champions Tusker FC host the high flying Thika United while reigning champions Mathare United faced leaders Western Stima of Kakamega.

Tusker 2 Thika United 1

Thika United have been among the early pacesetters while Tusker have been on a silent climb up the KPL log. These two elements combined to add flavour to this tie.

Ugandan Nathan Mutenza opened Tusker's account on 37 minutes, converting from the penalty spot after Noah Abich had been fouled in the box. The Ruaraka side went into the break leading 1-0.

Thika United began the second half strongly, taking the game to Tusker and their efforts were rewarded on 52 minutes when Kepha Aswani notched their equalizer.

This goal saw the Thika side dominate the proceedings but they squandered several chances to score the winner and were made to pay by their more experienced opponents when Nigerian Joseph Emeka prodded the ball home from a goal mouth scramble to give Tusker a 2-1.

This was Thika United's second successive loss coming off a seven match unbeaten run that also saw them keep seven successive clean sheets.

Mathare United 2 Western Stima 1

Champions Mathare United rallied from 0-1 at half time to beat Western Stima 2-1 in Sunday's late kickoff.

First half action saw Stima show why they led the table going into this clash, playing with an assured confidence that saw them dominate proceedings with the experience of Rama Balala and Mark Sirengo coming in handy. Sirengo will however rue his missed penalty on 13 minutes as it could have had a different impact on the tie.

Despite missing the spot kick, Sirengo and co continued attacking Mathare and they were rewarded with a 40th minute goal from none other than Sirengo. Kenya keeper Duncan Ochieng failed to hold on to a Jack Mugoya free kick and Sirengo reacted quickest to the loose ball, putting the Kakamega based side ahead. They went into the half time break with the scores at 1-0.

Francis Kimanzi's half time pep talk transformed Mathare as they came into the second half a differeent side. They were rewarded for their second half dominance with a brace from Anthony Khadudu on 62 minutes and 70 minutes (penalty).

Mathare held out for the deserved win.

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Saturday's KPL action

Sony Sugar 0 AFC Leopards 1

AFC Leopards provided the shock result during Saturday's KPL action, registering a 1-0 away to Sony Sugar in Awendo.

Harambee Stars trialist Sebastian Muchera scored the winning goal on 34 minutes when he connected an Ahmed Farid cross.

KCB 2 Gor Mahia 1

Sofapaka 1 Red Berets 0

Nairobi City Stars 0 Ulinzi Stars 0

Sher Karuturi 2 Bandari 0


Sunday's fixtures at the Coca Cola Stadium

	Tusker v Thika United (1300hrs)
	Mathare United v Western Stima (1500hrs)