In the statement, FKF has reassured the football stakeholders that they are prioritizing the situation and will provide a way forward as soon as possible.
The highly anticipated Kenyan Premier League match between Shabana FC and Posta Rangers at Gusii Stadium ended in a shameful stalemate. According to a statement released to the press by Football Kenya Federation (FKF), the match officials who were to officiate the match disappeared prior to kickoff.
This was a significant match for ‘Tore Bore’ fans considering it is the first KPL match in eighteen years to be hosted in their home ground. They couldn’t use the field last season after their promotion back to the league due to it undergoing renovations. The excitement surrounding this match in Kisii was palpable with fans flocking the grounds as early as 11 AM and by noon, the pitch was almost full.
In the statement, FKF has reassured the football stakeholders that they are prioritizing the situation and will provide a way forward as soon as possible.
The abandonment comes just days after the Football Kenya Federation’s Leagues and Competitions Committee imposed a five-match ban on Shabana FC after a chaotic scene during their last weekend’s 2 – 2 draw against Ulinzi Stars. Shabana were leading Ulinzi until the last of the game when the soldier men equalized. Frustrated Shabana fans reacted by uprooting seats and throwing them to the pitch, prompting the action from the federation.
However, Shabana appealed to the Sports Disputes Tribunal (STD) which intervened and issued stay orders on the closed-door ban. Shabana currently sits 12th on the log after drawing the first two games and is eager to try and escape relegation battles like last season.
On other KPL matches, Bidco FC drew 1 – 1 with Talanta FC while Sofapaka lost 1 – 0 to Bandari.