Charles Nyende
28 July 2011
In one of the most bizarre football decisions in the country, Football Kenya Limited has included eliminated teams in subsequent rounds of the knock-out FKL Cup.
West Kenya Sugar, eliminated in the first round by AFC Leopards, are still in the competition and have even advanced to the round of 16 where they await an opponent from a best loser category.
Gor Mahia, who were also knocked out by Congo United in post match penalties on Wednesday, have somehow survived to advance to the third round as a “best loser”.
In all, FKL seem to have created, thus far, five “best losers” berths for teams that have been knocked out to continue, completely making a mockery of the tournament rules that provide for a simple straight knock-out format for progression to the next stage.
Season fixtures
“We originally had only 21 teams in the second round and had to add one more to make 22. West Kenya Stima were included because they were considered the defending champions after participating in the original draw. Sofapaka confirmed late and thus were not considered defending champions,” FKL League and competition manager Bernard Shitiabayi said.
Shitiabayi explained that after getting only 11 team in the round of 16, four others, that were knocked out were brought back in.”The best loser is determined by the team that has lost by the fewest goals. For those that show similar score lines we look at which team conceded latest as the best loser,” Shitiabayi said.
The competition manager could not explain why the original draw was not followed and walk overs given to teams whose opponents failed to show up for one reason or the other.
This years FKL Cup has once again been marked by late withdrawals and no shows that have thrown the fixtures into disarray. Several KPL clubs withdrew from the tournament at the 11th hour following a warning from the league body of attracting fines if they participated while other minor clubs, unable to foot costs of traveling, have pulled out.
KCB FC chairman George Odhiambo said the KPL clubs had agreed not to participate in the tournament to lighten the load of the season fixtures.
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