John Ashihundu
17 December 2011
AFC Leopards yesterday beat arch-rivals Gor Mahia 6-5 through penalties to lift the Peace Cup.
For the first time in Kenyan football’s history, the country’s two strongest clubs played before a peaceful crowd.
Much interaction was witnessed among fans of both sides during the charity match played at Nyayo National Stadium.
The hotly contested game ended in a goalless draw in the regulation 90 minutes.
Kenya’s referee of the year, Nassur Doka, ordered spot kicks in order to decide the winner, and Leopards triumphed over their ‘in-laws’.
Led to violence
The game was part of National Cohesion and Integration Commission’s (NCIC) commitment to promoting and raising the awareness of peace in Kenya using sport.
The commission was created following the post-2007 general election violence which led to bloodshed and displacement of many people across the country.Tool for peace building
The chief guest at Saturday’s match, Prime Minister Raila Odinga, praised the sponsors, NCIC, for using football as a tool for peace building and other programmes.
He said the government would fully support the commission in such positive initiatives.
Officials from the NCIC, as well as former international football players, were among the spectators at the match.
The newly elected Football Kenya Federation (FKF) chairman, Sam Nyamweya, and some of his executive committee officials were also in attendance.
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