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The Nairobian

REFEREES UNDER FIRE: KPL match officials on the spot again over suspect calls

Football

By Gilbert Wandera | May 04, 2016

Local referees were once again the centre of focus during Kenyan Premier League (KPL) Top-8 tournament quarter-finals over suspect decisions.

This blame game will not just go away that easily, or will it? Both AFC Leopards and Ushuru coaches have complained about poor officiating. The duo also said match officials locked their teams out of the tournament.

According to Leopard’s tactician Ivan Minnaert, the referee was wrong to deny his side “a third equalising goal scored by Lamine Diallo” and has accused Ulinzi of winning the match “unfairly”.

The Belgian even claimed their opponents scored the winning goal from an offside position.

“I don’t prefer to win this way. If this is how men win then, I prefer not to win. I don’t want to win like a stupid man or win unfairly.

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“This is the most stupid win that can happen - how can you tolerate these things?” Minnaert fumed during the post match interview.

GOR MAHIA VS MADAGASCAR Gor Mahia's Enock Agwanda, right angered by assistant referee during CAF Champions League Club Tournament at Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday, Feb 2016. PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD.

Ushuru coach Ken Kenyatta was also gutted after his side went down 1-0 to Gor Mahia and said their opponents scored from an offside position.

“We didn’t lose the game. Everything was okay in the match until we conceded from an offside position. In this case, there were about four players in an offside position. The referees must learn to treat us with respect and not look like they are favouring others,” he said.

Former Tusker coach Jacob Mulee also believes Muhoroni Youth forward Moses Arita should have been sent off for elbowing Eric Omonge during their Top-8 match against Sofapaka. “It was a clear offence that warranted a red card and I am surprised the referee only showed him a yellow card. I ask Football Kenya Federation (FKF) to look at the video and take further action against the player,” he said.

Elsewhere, Kenyan Premier League (KPL) Top-8 champions Gor Mahia will play Tusker in the semi-final match of the tournament.

Gor Mahia were paired against Tusker after weekend matches. Gor Mahia defeated Ushuru 1-0 after Jacques Tuyisenge scored a controversial goal, while Tusker eliminated Bandari 2-1.

This will be the second time this year that Gor Mahia are playing Tusker after the brewers won their first leg league match 1-0.

The second semi-final will be between Muhoroni Youth and Ulinzi Stars. Muhoroni, who qualified for their maiden semis, eliminated Sofapaka 3-0, while Ulinzi beat AFC Leopards 3-2.