Leopards claim KPL out to get them

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By Gilbert Wandera

Kenya Premier League (KPL) is being accused of stage managing AFC Leopards’ ouster from the league through arbitrary change of venue.

Leopards chairman, Alex ole Magelo, said this after an e-mail written by KPL Chief Executive Officer Jack Oguda to Mathare United chairman Bob Munro accidentally went to Leopards secretary Richard Ekhalie.

Munro is also the KPL chairman. Oguda’s note written on Monday says: "They have hit the nail in the coffin and are accepting to withdraw from the grant."

Oguda adds: "Advise on reply and it is sad that they are saying KPL is manipulating the fixtures."

Magello claims this email written to club secretary Richard Ekhalie was not meant for the recipient indicated on the address and sees it as an attempt between the two KPL officials to manipulate fixtures.

Magello questions why Oguda should consult the KPL chairman yet he is an interested party since his club participates in the top league and are Leopards’ opponents on Saturday.

Contacted, Oguda clarified that his e-mail was not meant to imply that they are out to get Leopards.

"It has been taken out of proportion. What I meant to say is that Leopards would be shooting themselves in the foot if they declined this grant which even institutional clubs line-up to receive," he said.

He explained the change of venue for the match was done at the sponsors’ request. "Super-Sport wants this match to be televised and since Coca Cola Stadium is not available on Sunday, they request the match be on Saturday at Kasarani," said Oguda.

A furious Magello at the same time protested at the last minute change of venue for the weekend match from Coca Cola Stadium to the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

"We will not be at Kasarani. We ask our fans to come to Coca Cola Stadium for the match," added the official.

Kasarani is Mathare United’s homeground and Magello claims the change is intended to give their opponents undue advantage.

"We have already booked Coca Cola Stadium and we don’t understand how, as hosts, we can be forced to play in our opponent’s homeground," said a bitter Leopard’s chairman.

The official took issue with the change of venue for their home match against Tusker from May 2 to a day earlier at Coca Cola Stadium.

He threatened that Leopards may in future decline to receive the Sh3m annual grant paid to clubs, claiming that it is used to "blackmail and fix certain clubs."