Kenya: Coach Blames IDAC

Nairobi Star (Nairobi)

Francis Wadegu

20 May 2011

Clearly piqued by the abandonment of their semi-final of KPL Top Eight clash with Gor Mahia while leading 1-0,Ulinzi Stars coach Benjamin Nyangweso has laid the blame squarely on the disciplinary bodies that are supposed to check such untoward behaviour by fans, players or even club officials. “The blame should rest with the Independent Disciplinary and Appeals Committee (IDAC) because when Gor Mahia fans interrupted the opening day league match against Rangers, no action was taken. The fans then went underground but their behaviour did not change hence the violence we saw on Wednesday,” he charged.

With the first leg having ended in a barren draw, the soldiers were heading for the final of the Sh1million winners’ purse, thanks to Mike Barasa, who put them ahead in the 40th minute.

Gor, however, rallied in the second half and thought they had equalised when impressive Moses Odhiambo sent a vicious shot past Jackton Odhiambo, only for the goal to be flagged off by the assistant referee Stephen Maina. Ivan Anguyo, in a clearly offside position, had stood in front of the goalie but did not interfere with play.

Still seething with anger at the seeming injustice, Gor fans went overboard when an Ulinzi player handled the ball inside the box but referee Sylvester Musonye whose discretion is to award decision he or his officials see, did not give the penalty and missiles started flying towards the assistant referee and play stopped.

Calm could not be restored even after 20 minutes of waiting within which time police threw tear gas canisters to disperse the unruly mob forcing Musonye to abandon the encounter. “Not all decision can go your way. It could have been a penalty but the referee did not see it that way. Last week, John Baraza of Sofapaka was clearly fouled in the box against Gor but the penalty was not given. I did not see the Sofapaka fans turn unruly,” said Nyangweso vehemently.

Gor coach Zedekiah Otieno was, however, careful not to be drawn into commenting on the incidents during the match “We can only wait for the decision by the relevant bodies as its is now out of our hands,” he said.

Should IDAC find Gor fans liable for the abandonment, the blockbuster KPL clash between Gor and their traditional arch-rivals AFC Leopards may be played in an empty stadium.

AllAfrica – All the Time