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The Nairobian

Fifa referees avoid explosive AFC versus Gor clash

Football

By ROBIN TOSKIN | Oct 21, 2016

***REFEREE RAPHAEL NDUATI.PHOTO:BONIFACE OKENDO***

Kenya’s Fifa accredited referees have reportedly declined to officiate the banana-peel tie pitying eternal rivals AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia.

By ducking the explosive clash, FKF and KPL Referees Appointments Committee have thrust the responsibility on Raphael Nduati, whose frame of mind has also been questioned, after the fixture between the two, which he officiated last year, ended in running battles.

Nduati will be assisted by Aden Marwa (First Assistant) and Gilbert Cheruiyot (Second) and George Mwai (Fourth Official).

Historically, the clash between the two giants is a “hot potato” and often, shamefully, appointment of match officials takes care of “tribal balance.”

And Sunday’s tinderbox clash is no different.

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With the retirement of Sylvester Kirwa, the senior most referee is Davies Omweno, whose rising star saw him officiate the first leg of the CAF Champions League clash between Mamelodi Sundowns (SA) and Zamalek (Egypt).

Omweno,is not available. The next in line is Israel Mpaima, but who has just come back from suspension.

The other cool head is Anthony Ogwayo.

Problem is; according to our sources, he cannot officiate a consecutive Gor Mahia match having handled their KPL Top 8 clash with Muhoroni Youth.

Nduati’s close friends who talked to FeverPitch expressed doubt about his frame of mind going into the Sunday derby.

“He has really agonised over it. Though he is strong-willed referee, of course his confidence takes a hit when the rest of the Fifa referees back off,” the source said.

Contacted, former Fifa referee and now KPL head of Safety and Security GMT Ottieno gave Nduati a vote of confidence.

“Whatever happened is all in the past. Nduati is surrounded by senior appointing officials who would talk to him,” Ottieno said.

“I see no problem whatsoever especially if the fans and both teams allow him to discharge his duties in applying the laws of the game.”

Ottieno, however, is unhappy senior Fifa referees have dodged the match with “all manner of excuses.”

“I have been briefed as to how they declined appointments. Question is, if they cannot handled matches in their own country, how would they hope to succeed elsewhere,” Ottieno wondered.