Brave Mwai to officiate Mashemeji derby between AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia

Centre referee George Mwai in charge during the KPL encounter Between Gor Mahia vs Ulinzi Stars at City Stadium on May 2, 2015.PHOTO/DENNIS OKEYO

George Mwai has been chosen to referee today’s Mashemeji derby between AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia the Nyayo Stadium clash.

Mwai was initially to serve as a fourth official in a match that had been handed to Raphael Nduati.

But Nduati reportedly pulled out of the derby because of not being in right frame of mind to handle the clash.

Nduati was in charge of last year’s second leg derby which ended prematurely after AFC fans started throwing missiles on the pitch protesting his decision to award Gor a penalty following Jackson Saleh’s handball.

Reports indicate that most of the Fifa accredited referees had ducked the fixture, forcing FKF and KPL Referees Appointments Committee to give the task to the Nyeri-based official.

Fifa accredited referee Davies Omweno, who had been tipped as the best man to handle the derby, will be in-charge of Nakuru match involving league leaders Tusker and Nairobi City Stars. Other Fifa accredited referees are said to have passed over the opportunity to officiate the tie.