Clubs struggling to pay referees as Embu County League resumes from long break

 

Simba FC and Triumph FC in action in the Embu County League on Sunday, February 21, 2021 [Muriithi Mugo,Standard]

After a long corona break, Embu County league resumed on Sunday, February 21 with the opening match played between a new entrant Simba FC from Muguka growing zone in Siakago Mbeere North Sub-county and Triumph FC.

Players and coaches decried the high cost of paying referees saying they were struggling to do it.

Simba FC “stimulated” Triumph FC who were playing their first match at home by thrashing them 2-1.

Abdul Njiru opened the score from a free kick in the 9th minute while before Ndwiga leveled for the home team in the 13th minute through a penalty kick.

It was 2-1 by the quarter-hour mark courtesy of Eli Munene who slammed the ball into the net through via another penalty, giving the visitors to the lead again.

The center referee Dennis Nyaga sent off Triumph FC goalkeeper John Njeru in the 69th minute for a reckless challenge and excessive use of force on the opposing striker while holding the ball in his hands.

The game was characterised by charged Simba fans who cheered their team throughout the game.

Simba FC and Triumph FC in action in the Embu County League on Sunday, February 21, 2021 [Muriithi Mugo, Standard]

“I used 4-4-2 strategy for I know big teams from towns concentrate the ball at the center and my boys were able to control the game,” Patrick Munene, the Simba FC Coach Said

He added despite the challenges of being without a sponsor he is optimistic to lead the team to Division two.

He appealed to sponsors to consider helping them to pay referees among other expenses to improve the quality of the game at the county and sub-county levels.

“The visitors did not have a hard game but my boys made numerous mistakes that we will be improving in the next matches,” Joel Kinyua the Triumph FC coach said after the loss.

The procession to launch the games started from the Governor's office to Moi Stadium Embu where the game was played.

Charles Njagi FKF chairman Embu branch observed that several challenges were affecting the teams and appealed to the National government to support counties to improve the games.

He observed that the teams at the County league, Division two and one were facing challenges where they have to pay the referees and playing on poor fields.

Simba FC and Triumph FC in action in the Embu County League on Sunday, February 21, 2021 [Muriithi Mugo, Standard]

He appealed to the National government to help county governments in improving soccer and other activities that will help nurture the youth’s talents.

FKF officials noted that Embu had produced two players in the under-17 Camp that formed a team for CECAFA and played in Rwanda.

Dennis Koome,16, from Simba FC played for Kenya under-17 in Rwanda while Neddy Munene from Gaturi FC though in the National camp, was not selected in the team to Rwanda.

Caxton Wambua from Santos FC and Newton Murimi, Kiangima FC had both been selected but on standby in Embu.

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