Pre Match: Thika Utd (A)

The Leopards head to Thika to meet Thika United in the tenth round of the KPL matches. So, as we always do, here is a quick round up of what the media have been saying about this clash.

Collins Okinyo of Supersport.com writes:-

STAR MATCH: Thika United v AFC Leopards (Thika) *Live on SuperSport 9East*

This will definitely be the highlight fixture in what promising to be a pulsating weekend with hosts and fifth placed Thika United out to shatter Leopards extended unbeaten run of 22 matches. 

Thika coach John Kamau believes his side will top Ingwe even though top marksman Kepha Aswani with eight goals is doubtful for the match. 

The returning Moses Arita is expected to take the mantle and steer the striking force with the help of a solid back line marshalled by Harambee Stars regular Dennis Odhiambo. 

Leopards travel to the game without two of their regulars, top scorer Allan Wanga and custodian Patrick Matasi but they still possess fire power in the form of last season’s top marksman, Mike Baraza and Jimmy Bageya. 

Under Dutchman Jan Koops, Ingwe have mastered the art of grinding results and the away trip to Thika who have won three and drawn one of their last four presents them with a perfect opportunity to underline their title credentials. 

Predictions: 1-2

Wilson Mathu of Futaa speaks to the Thika United goalie and reports:-

Thika United goalkeeper Lucas Indeche has assured their weekend opponents AFC Leopards that their 90 minutes on the pitch will be well spent in the weekend encounter.

The custodian says that the Brookside Boys are determined to keep their upward trend and no team was assured of a walk in the park against them.

"The 90 minutes will decide the winner when we meet Leopards but I know that my colleague and I have prepared well for the encounter. It will not be an easy match but we are prepared for it. The team is in good form and I believe we will stretch the same into the match".

Thika United will face Ingwe at home on Saturday 14 March 2012 at the Thika Municipal Stadium. Both teams have been faring well this season with Thika placed fifth and Leopards placed first.

Charles Nyende of the Nation writes:-

By the end of the weekend, the league will have marked one third of its season and it may very well cement the mark of the genuine contenders looking at the match-ups over the next two days.

League leaders, and admittedly the form team of the moment, AFC Leopards face a difficult league outing away to a resurgent Thika United on Saturday.

Second-placed Sofapaka, also on a rich vein of form, face one of their sternest test against a wounded and dangerous Gor Mahia on Sunday at City Stadium.

But the main focus will obviously be on AFC Leopards be virtue of hogging the top spot for almost two months now and also remaining the only unbeaten team in the league.

Thika , unbeaten since losing their opening league match 2-0 to Gor Mahia, have been in belligerent mood telling however cares to listen how they will inflict Leopards’ first loss. Leopards amenable coach, Jan Koop, maintained his standard pre-match responses 

“I have a good team and we are playing well. Thika are a difficult side but we expect to get results there,” he said. The league leaders will be without international strike Allan Wanga and goalkeeper Patrick Matasi who are injured.

As a result Barnabas Tiema, no slouch in goal, gets a chance to test league action this season while Mike Baraza, Victor Ochieng and Jimmy Bageya look certain to lead a three-prong feared Leopards attack.

Thika United will feel confident of a toe-to-toe slug out with the league leaders and they have scoring machine Kepha Aswani as their trump card.

James Waindi of the Standard writes:-

Thika coach John Irungu has vowed to end AFC Leopards’ unbeaten run stretching to 22 league matches.

Irungu, who has managed to steer Thika to the fifth position in the league standings, goaded Leopards, saying Thika’s striker Kepha Aswani is better than international goal getter Allan Wanga ahead of their crucial Kenyan Premier League clash at the Thika Municipal Stadium on Saturday.

"Wanga is a good player but I believe we have better players at Thika. He has scored four goals this season for Leopards, while Aswani has seven from eight matches, I believe Aswani deserves to be in the national team as well," said Irungu.

He added: "We will not give Wanga or any Leopards’ star special attention, we have our own stars. In fact, at the moment, I am experiencing serious selection problems because everyone is fit and on form, so Leopards should come with a lot of caution."

Leopards, who have won the local title a record 13 (sic) times, have had one of their best starts to the season in more than a decade, enjoying a three point lead at the helm of the table and their Dutch coach Jan Koops is yet to lose a league match since taking over the team in August last year. Thika after a false start that saw them lose 2-0 to Gor Mahia at home on the first day of the league, have recovered and are currently placed fifth on 14 points, nine points behind leaders Leopards. 

Since they lost to Gor, they have not lost any match at home, drawing 2-2 against 2010 champions Ulinzi Stars, beating Sony Sugar 1-0 and drawing 0-0 with champions Tusker.

The Thika side has always been a hard nut to crack for Ingwe, beating Leopards 2-0 in the first leg of the season last year in Mumias, before Leopards were forced a narrow 2-1 win in Thika during the second leg and Irungu believes it is now pay back time.

"We respect Leopards because they have been in the league competition for many years, but we want the maximum points to close the gap on them. They will certainly be under pressure to maintain their unbeaten record and push it to 23 matches, but we will just play our game and take our chances," said Irungu.

He added: "What I can promise is that Leopards have to drop points in Thika on Saturday. We have also been boosted by the return of our key striker Moses Arita from a shoulder injury."

Allan Wanga misses the match today and as Dun Okinyo of the Star wrote, the Leopards have a strong bench.

THE AFC Leopards list of the injured received new names in top players Allan Wanga and Patrick Matasi. All this has come ahead of tomorrow’s Kenyan Premier League crunch match against Thika United in Thika. Goalkeeper Matasi broke his finger in the match against Rangers FC in Mumias last weekend while Wanga hurt his knee in training on the eve of the same match.

Despite the injury, played and scored the opening goal in the 6-2 drubbing of the Rangers before being substituted. “The injury is not that serious,” said team manager Bernard Onyango but refused to elaborate. 

“It was not his fault but he can’t play with this injury for at least two weeks,” Onyango said. Wanga, who has so far scored four goals in eight appearances this season was not at team’s training yesterday while Matasi trained with the rest of the team but did not play. “We really doubt if Matasi will play on Saturday  because he has a broken finger. He went for a scan and was asked to sit out in order not to risk it further,” Onyango said.

Onyango was quick to assure fans the absence of the two should not cause panic as they have a strong reserves bench. He singled out Barnabas Tiema as the possible replacement for Matasi between the posts. Tiema, was the first choice goalkeeper before Matasi joined the club. His last league match was against Ulinzi when Matasi was again ruled out due to another finger injury.

With Victor Ochieng, Mike Baraza, Jimmy Bagaye available, Jan Koops has plenty full of options in as far as the strike force is concerned. Other players who can be featured include Francis Chinjili and Brian Masiolo, who have not played for quite some time. However, Amon Muchiri, who was injured in the match against Gor Mahia, has resumed training.

That is a wrap folks! Hopefully Cynthia modelling the Thika United kit, wont be happy with the results of this clash!

Post Match: Rangers (H)

For the first time in many matches, we didn't have a Pre Match blog as your favourite blogger was holed up in Kigali enjoying Easter as the Leopards prepared to meet Rangers in Mumias.

Futaa reported:-

Despite the match stopping for more than a half an hour due to a heavy downpour, AFC Leopards remained determined and demolished Rangers 6-2 in the Kenyan Premier League tie on Sunday 8 April, at Mumias Sports Complex.

Martin Imbalambala opened the scoring in the 25^th minute from Bernard Mang’oli’s corner kick to put the table toppers in the driving seat.

Three minutes later, Allan Wanga doubled the lead, chipping over the ball past an advancing Raphael Omondi before he was replaced by Jimmy Bageya after picking an ankle injury.

On resumption, Bageya ensured his name was on the score-sheet with a feeble shot that beat Rangers custodian very easily before Victor Ochieng raised up to slot home Mang’oli’s header in the 50^th minute.

Noah Misiko replied quickly with a perfect shot as Ochieng and Bageya again fired home before Evans Ogutu added the second goal for the visitors after the downpour.

Leopards are still at the top of the table with 23 points, three points ahead of second placed Sofapaka.

MichezoAfrika reported:-

AFC Leopards made mince meat of a meek Rangers opposition rushing to a 2-0 lead after 30 minutes in a Kenyan Premier League match played on Sunday afternoon in Mumias Sports Complex. Victor Ochieng and Jimmy Bagaye both grabbed a brace in the second half while Allan Wanga and Martin Imbalambala scored a goal each to sink the troubled Rangers.

The match had to be temporarily stopped for over quarter of an hour as heavy rains threatened to disrupt the party in Mumias. However, after fans and players joined hands in draining the pitch, play resumed and AFC continued to win the match 6-2.

The win extended AFC Leopards supremacy at the helm of the KPL log with 23 points ahead of second placed Sofapaka (20) and their unbeaten matches to 22.

Captain Martin Imbalambala nodded in a corner kick from Bernard Mang’oli in 25th minute but the linesman ruled that it was scored in an offside position .The center referee stood his ground and overruled him to make it a one nil advantage in favor of AFC.

Two minutes later, international striker Allan Wanga latched onto a through ball by Salim Kinje to beat an onrushing Rangers goalie Raphael Omondi from 18 yards. Wanga who was a doubt to start the match due to injury had to be substituted a few minutes later due to a strained ankle injury.

The first half ended 2-0 in favor of the hosts. Upon resumption, AFC seemed to be breathing fire as they sank two quick goals through Victor Ochieng and Jimmy Bagaye.

But Rangers seemed to inject themselves some comeback power when Noah Misiko pulled a goal but this did little to stop the raging Leopard.

Victor Ochieng and Bageya once again added a goal each to extend Ingwe’s lead to 6-1 before the heavens opened up forcing the match officials to stop proceedings for a few minutes.

Rangers got another goal via Joseph Nuguna but it came a little too late to spoil the party at Mumias.

Speaking after the match, Rangers FC team manager Willis Waliaula acknowledged defeat and said it was a bad outing for his side.

“We lost to a better side.” He said.

KPL website wrote:-

AFC Leopards went on a terrific ramble, tearing Rangers apart with awesome speed and were leading 6-1 before the match was in real danger of being halted -- to be replayed from scratch the following day -- after torrential rains flooded the Mumias Sugar Company’s pitch after 70 minutes.

That was not going to amuse AFC Leopards supporters. To a man, they mobilised to drain the water off the pitch after the rain had subsided.

All manner of equipment, no matter how impractical, was utilised and after 30 minutes of stoppage, the match resumed.

There was time for Rangers’ Joseph Njuguna to score the last goal of the match and the second for Rangers.

Martin Imbalambala shot Leopards into the lead after 25th minutes heading home a Bernard Mang’oli corner. Allan Wanga made it 2-0 in the 28th minute.

Jimmy Bageya came on for a limping Wanga and stretched the leopards lead to 3-0, with a 50th minute goal. Victor Ochieng’ then snatched the first of his brace in the 52nd minute to make it 4-0 before Noah Misiko pulled one back for Rangers to trail 1-4.

Ochieng’ was to score again in the 62nd minute before Bageya made in 6-1 before the rains came.

Futaa carried a story on the good news about the gate collection.

AFC Leopards did not only garner the three points after beating Rangers 6-2 in a Kenyan Premier League match on Sunday 8 April, but also harvested a gross of Kshs 910,000 at Mumias Sports Complex in gate collections.

According to the acting Secretary General Duncan Angode, 900 VIP tickets were sold at Kshs 300 each totaling Kshs 270,000 with 3,200 terraces tickets sold at Kshs 200 each, managing to raise Kshs 640,000.

"Bearing in mind that it’s in Mumias, I am happy with the attendance. I’m proud of our fans and I’m sure sooner than later we shall remain fixed on our target of 5,000 fans per match", Angode told futaa.com.

With no stadium charges, AFC Leopards, being the home team, will get 90% of the proceeds with a commission 10% going to the ticketing handlers Wells Fargo.

The bad news was about the injury to Allan Wanga as carried by Futaa

AFC Leopards hit-man Allan Wanga is due to undergo another scan to determine the extent of an ankle injury suffered during Sunday’s (Apr 8 ) 6-2 win over Rangers at Mumias Sports Complex.

Wanga who had picked an injury in the training session prior to the match; was ruled fit after the first scan indicated he’s not in danger but limped-off the pitch just after netting the second goal for his side.

"I suffered an injury on Thursday (Apr 5) but it’s not that way serious as per the scan results; it’s just a soft tissue and was given an okay for the match", Wanga told futaa.com.

"For sure I was having a difficult time out there, I thought it will be fine but after scoring it seemed to be getting worse and I actually felt the pain. I don’t know how bad it is but fingers crossed I’ll be OK. I'll be going for another scan before the end of the day", concluded Wanga.

Though the Harambee Stars striker left the match too early, the business was finished by his replacement Jimmy Bageya and Victor Ochieng who scored a brace each to seal an emphatic win.

THE LOG

Post Match: KCB (A)

Leopards beat KCB 2-1 at the Nyayo National Stadium last night to open a three point lead at the top of the League. Mike Baraza scored both goals to send the Leopards fans into a frenzy. Here is how the press reported it:-

Brian Moseti of Futaa wrote:-

AFC Leopards emerged from a struggling first half to win 2-1 against 10-man KCB, in their Wednesday 28 March Kenyan Premier League match. 

The match started on a high with each side gaining access to the other’s box. KCB maintained a better ball possession throughout the first 45 minutes, closing with a 64% against AFC’s 46%.

Coming into the second half, AFC turned out to be the surer side,  upsetting the possession to 59% against KCB’s 41%.

The renewed force was also reflected in the scores, three minutes in, with Robert Syongo, Victor Ochieng and Mike Baraza, connecting well with each other, for a goal bouncing off Baraza’s boot. 

Syongo had received the ball on the right flank, and directed it towards KCB’s box, to find Ochieng, who back-heeled it for Baraza to seal the finish. 

With KCB struggling to come back into the match, Ingwe relaxed and for a moment appeared to sink into defense, constantly frustrating KCB’s Paul Mungai’s  and Jacob Keli’s runs inland. 

At the 78^th minute, frustration appeared to get to Mungai who lodged a verbal attack on the second assistant referee, for what he appeared to describe as numerous unfair calls. 

This single act earned him a red-card, further deepening his side’s woes. 

A minute later, Baraza, in a solo effort drove a thunderous shot past KCB’s keeper Kaleb Adola, to double Ingwe’s lead.

With the fate of the match appearing to be sealed, KCB’s Ezekiel Odera, who came in as 70^th minute substitute for Michael Oyando, found the back of AFC’s net, to earn his side a consolation.

The win topped Ingwe's ever-flourishing record to 21 matches unbeaten besides enabling them maintain the top spot they have embraced since the start of the season.

AFC Leopards: 1. Patrick Matasi, 5. Edwin Wafula, 26.Robert Syongo, 17. Jonas Nahimana, 40. Eric Masika, 10.Charles Okwemba, 4. Martin Imbalambala [Cpt],18. Salim Kinje [70’ Oscar Kadenge], 34. Victor Ochieng, 9. Allan Wanga, 11.Mike Barasa

KCB: 22 Kaleb Adola, 13 Bethuel Warambo, 3 Milton Milimo, 12 Joseph Apindi, 2 Dennis Omondi, 14 Michael Oyando [70’ Ezekiel Odera, 7 Jacob Keli, 6 Elvis Ayany (Cpt), 18 Clifford Alwanga [62’ Peter Wainaina], 5 Mungai Kiongera, 11 Benjamin Chaka [57’ Bernard Meki]

KPL website reported:-

TABLE-topping AFC Leopards showed diversity in their game comfortably stepping up in the second half from a low first, to beat KCB 2-1 at the National Stadium on Wednesday night.

Previously seen as a side that goes off the mark straight from the whistle, Leopards were unable to do it this time. But what a sense of timing it was as they injected a different gear into their game when it called for it, and in the end subdue a KCB side that probably thought they had Leopards on the ropes.

SuperSport’s statistics for the” live” match had KCB well ahead in the first half at 64% against 46% but as KCB did not capitalise on their domination, there was a perfect platform for Leopards to re-focus in the second period.

Apart from turning the tables in possession, 59% to 41%, Leopards made the second half form book count.

Three minutes from the restart, Robert Syongo, Victor Ochieng’ and Mike Baraza made their raid result in a Baraza goal.

The turn of events seemed to severely affect KCB’s nerve and it was most negative when Mungai Kiongera had to be shown the red card in the 78th minute after verbal misconduct.

A minute later Leopards punished this; Baraza going for his second goal, via an audacious taking on of the KCB defence and beating it with a determined dribble before firing past ‘keeper Caleb Adola.

Victory, then, looked comfortably sealed for Leopards but KCB were to get a goal from the unlikeliest of sources. Ezekiel Odera, the bankers’ top scorer and one of the league’s best in 2010 had moved on account of that prowess to Gor Mahia last season but failed miserably ending up with no goal and hardly a starting place in Gor Mahia.

Odera returned to KCB this season, not guaranteed a place in the team, but now in the seventh match for the bankers he was to score in injury time.

Leopards went 21 Kenyan Premier League matches unbeaten, since losing to Gor Mahia [1-3] on July 24 last year. Coach Jan Koops has been at the helm during that period.

TEAMS:-

KCB - 22. Caleb Adola: 13. Bethuel Warambo, 3.Milton Milimo, 12. Joseph Apindi, 2.Dennis Omondi, 14. Michael Oyando (10. Ezekiel Odera, 70’), 7. Jacob Keli, 6, Elvis Ayany (captain), 18 Clifford Alwanga (15. Peter Wainaina, 62’), 5. Mungai Kiongera,11. Benjamin Chaka (30. Bernard Meki, 57’)

Reserves not used - 1. Sammy Okinda, Gk; 25. Emmanuel Olupot, 23. Pius Andriano, 20. Geoffrey Maina 

Scorer - 10. Ezekiel Odera (90+)

Coach - James Omondi

AFC LEOPARDS - 1. Patrick Matasi: 5. Edwin Wafula, 26. Robert Syongo, 17. Jonas Nahimana, 40. Eric Masika, 10. Charles Okwemba, 4. Martin Imbalambala (captain),18. Salim “Kinje” Ramadhan (7. Oscar Kadenge, 70’), 34. Victor Ochieng’, 9. Allan Wanga, 11. Mike Baraza

Reserves not used - 19. Barnabas Tiema, Gk; 12. Augustine Etemesi, 50. Jimmy Bageya, 15. Francis Chinjili, 23. Abraham Cokie

Scorer - 11. Mike Baraza (48’, 79’)

Coach - Jan Koops [The Netherlands]

* * * *

Referee - Anthony Ogwayo Assistant ref - Hassan Omondi Reserve ref - Haji Adede

Match commissioner - Hezbon Mbogo

Timothy Olobulu of MichezoAfrika wrote:- 

Mike Barasa scored two wonderful  goals in the second half to give AFC Leopards an important 2-1 victory away  to KCB in an entertaining KPL match played at the Nyayo National Stadium on Wednesday evening. The win extends AFC Leopard’s unbeaten run to 21 games and cements their places at the top of the log.

Barasa struck in the 48th and 78th minutes to get Leopards three points ahead of second placed Sofapaka. Substitute Ezekiel Odera scored the consolation for KCB in the dying minutes of the match as the bankers charged forward to stage  a nervy end to the tie.

The high tempo match started with both teams going out on attack and KCB taking credits for the opening exchanges. Benjamin Chaka was causing all sorts of problems to Edwin Baraza on the left with Elvis Ayany and Mike Oyando providing good cover.

Leopards were however the first to get a chance at goal with Jonas Nahimana heading over the bar after a Martin Imbalambala’s long throw.

In the 9th minute Erick Masika almost gifted KCB with the opener but Paul Mungai could not do much with the lost ball. The Under 23 striker went on the right before cutting in a cross for Jacob Kelly, but Jonas Nahimana was fast enough to cover for his compatriot.

Mungai then tried his luck from a distance in the 13th minute but his shot went wide.

20 minutes into the match,the Leopards were on the attack and Victor Ochieng shot wide after Allan Wanga's misfired shot fell on his feet. Ochieng again lost another chance after beating Kaleb Adola with a nicely cut in shot but Bethwell Warambo covered well to clear the ball before it could cross the line.

Minutes past the half hour mark, Victor Ochieng’ saw his header alone in the box go wide after Robert Syong’os return header from a uncleared corner.

KCB were again forced into another goal line clearance five minutes from the half time whistle after another short corner with Adola off his line.

On 45 minutes, Jacob Kelly had a decent chance but Patrick Matasi pulled the best out of himself saving the former Mathare United striker’s shot from the edge of the box after he was let through by Elvis Ayany. 

In a quick counter that led to a corner, Salim Kinje’s shot after a short start to the corner was acrobatically tipped off by Kaleb Adola for  an resultant corner.

In the second period, AFC , Leopards seemed to have had a sip of liquid Mumias sugar and they came back with more energy.

Three minutes from the restart, Barasa put Leopards on the driver’s sit with a wonderful left foot shot. Robert Syongo brought in the cross from the left and Victor Ochieng laid it off for Barasa who struck to beat Kaleb Adola.

KCB Coach James Omondi  reacted by pulling off Benjamin Chalka for Bernard Meki and Clifford Alwanga for Peter Wainaina. 

With twenty minutes to the end, the evergreen Paul Mungai’s shot went straight into Matasi’s hands as KCB tried hard to break the Ingwe defense. Not even the coming in of Ezekiel Odera for Mike Oyando would change things for the bankers who were enjoying much of the possession.

AFC Leopards‘ Salim Kinje limped out injured and in his place came in Oscar Kadenge.

KCB were reduced to ten men in the 75th minute when Paul Mungai saw a straight red after he appeared to have hurled some nasty words at the assistant referee after a call that he didn’t like.

Just a minute after the send-off Mike Barasa doubled Ingwe’s lead with a ferocious right foot shot after wobbling through two defenders.

KCB managed a late consolation through Odera who slapped in the ball after Matasi had punched it away.

The win puts AFC Leopards three points clear of second placed Sofapaka in the KPL Standings.

Brian Moseti of Futaa filed an extra report on the Man of the Match:-

After scoring a brace in their 2-1 Kenyan Premier League win over KCB on Wednesday 28 March, AFC Ingwe Leopards’ Mike Baraza was named the man of the match.

On receiving his award [a DSTV Drifta], the striker underscored the fact that there is immense talent at the Ingwe camp and that one has to work extra hard to make the squad.

"AFC has many good players you have to work very hard for the coach to notice you, he said. I was glad that I made the starting team, and that is why when it was my time to impress, I stepped up on the plate and did what I had to do."

The three points earned from the match, set AFC Leopards, who are the league leaders, three points away from their closest rivals Sofapaka.

THE LOG

 

Pre Match: KCB (A)

League leaders AFC Leopards play against Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) at the Nyayo Stadium on Wednesday 28th March, 2012.

Sammy Kitula of the Daily Nation writes:-

Ravenous AFC Leopards switch their attention to KCB on Tuesday in an enticing midweek encounter at Nyayo stadium. 

The unbeaten league leaders have now won five of their last seven matches but face a dangerously unpredicatable bankers side.

Buoyed by a 2-1 away win against Western Stima over the weekend, Ingwe, who are yet to lose a match in 20 league outings, will want to build on their impressive run. They have scored 10 goals while conceding only two this season.

Already, Leopards’ goalkeeper, Patrick Matasi has rejected fears that they might buckle under the Sofapaka pressure and has urged his team-mates simply to enjoy their League matches. 

“I don’t think it’s about holding your nerve, but about going out and enjoying yourself,” the custodian said. “This is because those are the types of players we have.”

Second-placed Sofapaka have collected 17 points, same as Leopards, but with an inferior goal diffference. 

A draw is tolerable for the big cats, but it’s definitely not a desirably result. Used to winning now, Leopards’ fans have witnessed a spectacular turn of fortunes since head coach Jan Koops joined the side last year. 

And with Sofapaka breathing down their necks, maximum points is what Leopards will need to go for, given that they face the unpredictable Rangers FC in their next fixture on Saturday.

After scoring a brace over the weekend against Stima, centre half Jonas Nahimana will continue to be an important part of the Leopards’ hunting expedition. 

The Burundian turned Rwandese’s playmaking talents, including his passing and dribbling, will give him an opportunity to create many quality scoring chances against a Ruaraka outfit defense that is not one of the meanest in Kenyan football. They have conceded five times in six league matches.

With the expected return of Salim Kinje to Koops’ squad after pulling a calf muscle in that Stima win, the tactician has even more offensive firepower at his disposal.

With poven goal getters, Allan Wanga, Victor Ochieng and Jimmy Bageya available to the Dutch, key strategy in this game for KCB will be limiting the scoring chances the free-scoring Ingwe forwards can create.

If the bankers don’t defend well to begin the match, the men in blue-stripped jerseys could score some quick goals that would effectively end the match. On their part, the bankers will not sit and be clawed, but will need to call on their lead striker Jacob Keli to do the damage.

“We will give our best. We have a strong mentality and if we do what we are expected to, then winning the three points won’t be a difficult task,” Keli said.  

The league’s sharp shooter added that the match gave him an opportunity of catching up with the current top scorers, John Baraza and Kepha Awsani. Baraza scored twice against Ulinzi Stars for his sixth, while Aswani netted four times as Thika United humiliated Rangers 6-0.

Nancy Rose Ochieng of Futaa gives the following ticketing information:-

The Kenya Premier League side AFC Leopards is set to face KCB in a KPL match on Wednesday 28 March 2012 at the Nyayo National stadium.

Ahead of the match, tickets will be on sale by Ticket Masters at three outlets, City Stadium, Nyayo Stadium and Kenya Cinema as from 0900Hrs.

Only 6,000 tickets are printed for the Wednesday’s match, if need be, the remnant of 2012 encounter between the two KPL sides will be used to cater for the match.

The tickets will be selling at Ksh.200 and 400 for Terraces and VIP seats respectively. The sale will stop by 1600Hrs at the Nyayo Stadium as per FKF regulations.

Fixing The Problem

In the wake of the disturbances that occurred at the football match pitting Kenya’s top two teams in terms of achievement and popularity, there have been knee jerk reactions that have predictably taken place. There have been a myriad of commentaries about the matter. The best thing though would be to take a deeper analysis if we are to get to the root cause of the problem and to offer solutions that ensure the repeat of such terrible incidents don’t recur.

In summary, Gor Mahia’s Ali Abondo was red carded by referee Davies Omweno in the 64^th minute of the match and Gor fans did not agree with the referee’s decision. They threw projectiles on the pitch leading to the stoppage of the match for over twenty minutes.

The police lobbed tear gas at Gor fans most of whom cleared from the stadium. The match eventually resumed thereafter when the pitch had been cleared of the stones by the Gor players and other security officials.

After the match, the Gor coach John Bobby Ogolla blamed the referee for having been lenient on Leopards players whose tackles had put his players out of the game. One Gor official was quoted, amidst the mayhem that had ensued, to say he was hoping the gate collection was huge due to the crowd that had turned up. 

Leopards appealed to the football authorities to award them the match amongst a host of demands and the football governing body in the country swiftly moved to suspend the in-charge of security GMT Otieno. The Sports Stadia Management Board suspended Gor from using its facilities foe a year whilst a decision is still pending from the Kenya Premier League on the appeal by Leopards and on the threats issued by  Claws Trust, a supporters trust of Leopards fans, to institute legal action against the culpable parties.

But in the face of all these developments, there are issues that should be clear and which if addressed could go a long way into curbing the menace at the stadium that has been long with us and which we shouldn’t pretend to have begun just the other day.

Historically, matches between the two teams have always been high tension matches and clashes have taken place inside and outside the stadium. That is not in dispute. However, Gor seems to have a greater percentage of violence related incidents than Leopards. This necessitated a Ministerial Statement in Parliament when on July 25, 1985, the Minister of Culture and Social Services Kenneth Matiba declared that, “Mr. Speaker Sir, regrettably, it appears that it is the supporters of Gor Mahia Football Club who, more often than not, cause trouble.”

It is now folklore that whenever the two teams meet, there is bound to be some security risk. In the book, ‘How To Be a Kenyan’, former Nation columnist Wahome Mutahi dedicated a chapter called ‘A Piece of Leather’ to what one should expect when Leopards play Gor. In it he says: Should your team lose, that to you has nothing to do with the quality of the team, even if it played like a bunch of kindergarten kids. Blame the referee and as usual mete out instant punishment by rushing to the pitch to punch him. Then start throwing stones at anything in sight, particularly if it is mobile.

That a book published in 1996 still has relevance to what happened recently shows you that there seems to have been nothing done to arrest what was happening all those years ago. In the here and now, Supersport has taken Gor off the screens, SSMB has banned the club from its facilities for one year and perhaps more action is forthcoming from KPL.

But what should be done rather than the usual talk with no action?

Sports Stadia Management Board

Firstly, the SSMB has been given the mandate by an Act of Parliament to manage the sports facilities in the country and the biggest of them all are Nyayo Stadium and Kasarani. Yet at the scene of the last clash, one sees great incompetence by the SSMB in management of these facilities as can be noted from the failure to have basic sports facility principles followed through.

There are no numbered seats for fans who purchase tickets to attend the matches thus it is quite difficult to identify the specific scenes of trouble of the origin of projectiles as the fans purchasing the tickets are not tied down to any seat number. When the SSMB painted the terraces to show the sitting spaces, one would have imagined the next logical step was to number the rows alphabetically for each terrace and then have a number, even if its mere concrete. So that when one buys a ticket for Terrace 7, they would then sit at Row C12 or higher up at the terraces like Row P16. This is a bare necessity.

During the match, I noticed that many fans sat on the gangways or the aisle that is at the end of the terrace which is supposed to be for movement. This can be a disaster when there is reason to evacuate the stadium and unfortunately, there are no stewards to ask fans to be seated at the space for viewing rather than on the aisle.

Due to the lack of emphasis on seating arrangements, fans dance all over the stadium and thus occupy the area between the terraces and the perimeter fence. There is nothing wrong with dancing, and as an African nation, our songs have always invariably been accompanied by dance but it is important for the SSMB to ensure the dancing takes place in the terraces. No atmosphere will be lost if fans can come up with other ways in which to express their admiration for their teams.

Speaking of evacuation of the stadium, any architect would tell you that a stadium is designed in a manner that allows the flow of fans into the stadium at a controlled pace and the instant evacuation should there be any disaster. Usually, the exits should be more than the entry points. Gor fans were put at a serious risk when the police fired tear gas and expected them to run out of the stadium though the few entry points that had been opened. This stadium has lost a lot of fans and it is time there was emphasis on security of the fans and players before some actions such as lobbying tear gas at fans are taken.

There are usually loud speakers during national holidays at the stadium but during the recent match, the tannoy announcer wasn’t heard across the stadium. It is obvious that if the stadium was to be evacuated, the announcements would not reach all the fans as I later heard that there was indeed a loud-speaker at the Main Stand which wasn’t however heard across the stadium.

One point which has been raised by the Gor Secretary General is that there were stones aplenty in the stadium. It is embarrassing for the SSMB to be collecting huge figures of money from teams (and it is reputed they collected as high as Kshs. 800,000 during this match) and yet do little in terms of managing the facility. Clearing debris and rubbish should be a continuous exercise that goes on every time so that by the time people are being admitted to the stadium, the stadium is habitable and safe.

It is apparent that the safety of fans and players is not well taken care of by the SSMB. Leopards defender Abbas Kiwaalabye got injured in a previous match this season by a sprinkler point at the stadium. The stadium lawn is in a bad shape and when tackles fly, you see dust rising from the point of impact. Indeed, this may have contributed as a causa proxima to the injuries suffered by Gor players on the day. It is time this was also fixed.

Something else that should be highlighted is the decision by the SSMB to put up some extensions to the stadium by building some developments that seem to be office space outside the stadium. It is a shocking decision because some of these extensions are so close to the outer perimeter fence and may affect the flow of fans into and out of the stadium. The extensions are currently taking place near Gate 2 and Gate 3 which as we all know was the point at which seven fans lost their lives in a stampede on 23^rd October 2010. It is my prayer that when making these extensions, the safety of fans has been considered and that this isn’t another venture to make money at the expense of fans security.

So before the SSMB starts making judgments about other people such as the Gor fans, it is time they also removed the log in their eyes. Leopards fans who will continue to use the facility will still be at risk (though with the high risk match against Gor now removed from the stadium) and will still end up being punished for no fault of their own during this recent match.

It is even rumoured that the stadium does not have any emergency power generator and that if there is a black-out, then a match is abandoned. How callous can the administrators be when they are receiving such huge amounts in gate collections?

With the blundering SSMB, it is a high time both Leopards and Gor bought or built their own stadia where they have full control of the stadium security and safety instead of merely donating money (a whopping 15% of the total collections) to a bottomless pit which is the SSMB.

Police

The role of the police also should come under scrutiny for their actions have the effect of either quelling the violence or exacerbating the situation. Looking at Gor fans, having to run over barriers at the stadium in fleeing from the tear gas makes one wonder if there was any co-ordination with SSMB personnel and security officers before lobbing tear gas at the fans. Stampedes are made out of such decisions and one needs to ensure that the get away is clear before lobbing the tear gas as fans will invariably flee from the choking fumes.

Further, in other parts of the world, people are examining the health risks of tear gas and using other means to quelling riots. There may be fans who have lung problems and who may end up with serious health risks due to the lobbing of tear gas into the crowd. Claws Trust, announced that it was made aware of one fan who had difficulties in breathing due to her asthmatic condition and had to stay on at the stadium till late before she felt better. 

Lobbing tear gas, if indeed it is the necessary option, should be a means of last resort and there is extreme danger to the safety of the other fans who are peaceful. The best resort remains apprehending the people who are throwing stones to the pitch or at other fans. 

The police need to work with the leaders of supporters groups and branches in identifying all the trouble makers and having them nabbed and prosecuted in a court of law rather than merely lob tear gas at them and let them escape. This is why the police need to make demands on the SSMB to make sure that ticket sales include people giving the names of the person for whom the ticket is purchased so that it is retained for record and security purposes.

One other blunder that the police made on the fateful match was to clear Gor fans from the inside of the stadium and let them loose on the outside from whence they threw stones back into the stadium at the Leopards fans. There were moments when Leopards fans had to hurry up to the upper terraces to avoid being stoned and a few fans suffered injury when stones were thrown by the departed fans into the stadium as those rowdy fans were still in the precincts of the stadium. That was utter disregard for the safety of the Leopards fans and players and I believe it is partially due to this that the Leopards officials insisted they were playing on under protest.

Gor fan Okil Kamaloka posted an insightful post on the Gor Facebook Page in which he also asked why there was no buffer between the fans of the opposing teams. Pre-match, there has been hype that the area above Gate 6 would be no-mans land but the police allowed the area to be occupied. The police also seemed passive even in the face of blatant breach of security for instance when a fan jumped onto the pitch. Surely there have to be some proper security measures taken by the police rather than mere posturing.

Finally, Gor officials had also indicated prior to the match that there were plans to cause violence and it is obvious that where such violence threats are reported, the police have to be informed. Did the police take any action about the claims? this is a question that one needs to look at too since merely alleging and not acting will ultimately be the face of incompetence.

Gor Mahia

As for Gor Mahia, one of the lessons that the officials of the team, and indeed many other teams in the league should realize is that the respect for match officials is mandatory. The team officials shouldn’t criticize match officials as this often creates a perception of persecution to the fans. This is why the Gor officials should apologise to the match officials for questioning their decisions.

One may have noticed that after the red card was flashed to the Abondo, Gor players surrounded the referee and disputed the call. 

Moments like this end up inflaming the decisions taken and even if the same players ended up picking up the stones and telling their fans to calm down, they players have to realize their initial actions were a contributor to the fans reaction. Leagues in other countries have had campaigns such as the RESPECT campaign that is aimed at respect for match officials and acceptance of the decisions with the option of complaining to the football authorities (and not the media) after a match.

One of the drawbacks to our football is that the clubs are still living from hand to mouth and thus they are reluctant to spend more on security and on stewards but this is one thing that Gor urgently needs to address. Leopards have introduced season tickets which as still fraught with problems especially with some matches being out of the specific home venue and with no seat allocations at the stadium but perhaps one of the ideas that should be encouraged is to have various branches being allocated sitting spaces for their members or their members friends and guests to together and therefore being responsible for those areas in the terraces.

This will assist in the identification of the trouble makers who will then be prosecuted by the state. From the various photos that were taken by the media including some showing people with SSMB property such as water tanks and some carrying stones, the Gor fraternity can actually start with the previous match to show they are committed to bring an end to the madness at the stadia.

The obsession with nabbing those with fake tickets should be handled separately and prosecutions brought against those found engaging in the racket as this endangers the security of the fans and makes the point of having seat allocation even more valid as any two people who turn up at the same seat will mean one of them is having a fake (or mistake) ticket.

Gor has had a period of highs in the recent past and it is therefore understandable that their fans have high expectations of their team which finished the 2010 season in the second position. The team was expected to win the 2011 title but finished a respectable fourth. Thus, managing the expectations is something that one need to look at so that fans of any team that is on a high, realize there will be moments when they hit some lows. It is a fair warning to Leopards fans that are now on a high to ensure they keep their cool when the down turn arrives.

Each team should be asked to prepare a match day inspection record that shows all the security arrangements that were done before the match and the inspection of all areas of the match.

Having said this, the average Gor fan, one would like to think, is a peaceful fan and in fact most photos taken before the match, the fans were happily mixing with Leopards fans.

Kenya Premier League

As for the Kenya Premier League, the delays that have always taken place when there is trouble or incidents at any match have to stop. In the end, the punishment should fit the crime. 

Recently, the Rangers coach brazenly told the media that his team had no money to pay the referees which was an attack on the integrity of the match officials. It is not clear if the coach has been sanctioned or fined.

There has to be consistent action taken against all the persons who impute improper motives on the league and its officials. Fining teams and even docking teams points should start being part of the punishments meted out. Ordering teams to play before empty stadia has not been working and thus it is important to ensure that no suspended punishments are handed out as has been the case in the past.

Shockingly, the Football Kenya Federation, which has had a series of name changes came out to say that matches in the Nairobi Derby will be officiated by foreign referees.  This was a practice that took place in the 1970s and which was long discontinued and it shows the level of desperation to be seen to act (rather than to act) that bedevils our football.

The League should engage the Sports Ministry to enact at Football Spectators Act as they did in England after the disasters of the 1980s which will provide forhefty punishments and criminalize what has become a usual pastime of throwing stones to the pitch and at motorists during and after a match respectively. Such an Act can also criminalize even the verbal threats that are heard in Kenyan stadia and also criminalize the admission of fans into a public place like a stadium without taking adequate security. There should be proper inspection of turnstiles; control rooms; CCTV; emergency and ambulance services; segregation arrangements; seating, gangways and exits; escape lighting; fire fighting and resisting equipment; stewarding; emergency generators and so on.

Let us do more because ultimately, people’s lives are in our hands and the safety of people at the stadia when they go to watch football, should always be supreme.