Joseph Mboya: Fairness will uphold integrity in the Kenyan Premier League
It came to a screeching halt, but all I can say is that it was good while it lasted.
I am talking about the unbeaten run we have had in the Kenyan Premiership since it started this season. After beating and drawing with teams left right and centre, it took the lacklustre Kakamega Homeboyz to end the dream campaign.
Going into the match played on Saturday at Bukhungu Stadium, there was so much at stake. Both K’Ogalo and Kakamega Homeboyz had amassed 18 points each and eight matches played. Gor had the advantage of more goals, a situation that saw them sit on top of the table.
Our new signing Peter Lwassa gave a good account of himself by scoring the first goal, although his efforts were brought to naught after goals by George Odiwuor and Stephen Opuku who equalized and grabbed the winner for the hosts.
Referee attacked
It was a sad affair that the referee was attacked by an alleged Gor Mahia supporter who was protesting the penalty awarded to Homeboyz.
Although my stance against hooliganism is well-known, I have watched the footage of the incident that led to the penalty being awarded and my verdict is that the referee should face disciplinary action.
That was not a penalty by any stretch of the imagination because the foul happened well outside the box and if anything the Homeboyz player would be penalized for diving.
There have been complaints of how “lucky” Homeboyz always are when playing at home and I think this match needs a thorough investigation and if possible, a sanction on he referee and the stadium, plus the Homeboyz officials.
As Gor Mahia we do not fear losing and for crying out loud, we have just been bundled out of a continental competition.
All that we are asking for is a fair playground where all teams are treated equally. And that, ladies and gentlemen, did not happen at Bukhungu last Saturday.
Away from Gor Mahia affairs, let me get to the issue of what were formerly known as out of season tournaments. Without a shadow of doubt the Koth Biro Cup played at Ziwani in Nairobi has always been the primus inter parez of such events.
The popularity arose from the fact that almost all players featuring in the country’s top leagues would participate turning out for their estate teams. Once in a while players plying their trade in foreign countries, and who are on holiday, would also don their estate team jerseys and do duty.
The sheer thrill and the emotions of it all is something that a write up like this cannot truly capture, rather one needs to be there to see for himself of herself what goes on. On the downside, there have been complaints of indiscipline from some of the teams.
Fight indiscipline
I was therefore thrilled when I read that the organisers of this year’s edition of the tournament acted tough on one of the teams that has earned itself notoriety over the years for their commitment to indiscipline.
Just as it should be. We need a tournament devoid of any monkey games, a tournament where the losers will go home feeling that they lost fairly and the winners will stomp the podium, the diadem in hand, with a convincing victory.
As the lawyerly types would tell you (at a fee of course) justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done.
As I sign off, let me take this opportunity to wish all the faithful readers of this column and their loved ones a merry Christmas and that may you have many more and continue with your custom of this column. BY DAILY NATION
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