FALSE: Photo does not show the drought situation in Embolioi, Kajiado County, in October 2022
Admin Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards have threatened not to honor the much awaited Saturday’s Mashemeji Derby unless Football Kenya Federation pays them their outstanding dues, grants and sponsorship monies owed to them.
In a joint letter to the federation president Nick Mwendwa on Friday, signed by Gor Mahia and AFC leopards chairmen, the two Kenyan giants demanded to be paid prize money for the Betway cup which they played in the finals among others.
“Whereas you (FKF) are obligated to make monthly payment of sponsorship grants, you have intentionally neglected, failed and/or refused to remit to us the said sponsorship grants in time and sometimes at all. To this end, you have failed and/or refused to remit to us in full the Startimes, Betking and Youth Team sponsorship grants as of date,” the two complained.
“This is therefore to inform you that unless all the outstanding sponsorship grants and the Betway Cup sponsorship money is paid by 4pm on July 30, 2021, we shall not honour the league match slated for Saturday July 31, 2021,” the statement continued.
In return FKF Chief Executive officer Barry Otieno also threatened that the federation will take stern action on the two clubs if they fail to honor the game terming their threat as diversionary.
“Let them fail to show up and they will see what we (FKF) will do. They (Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards) know they have their own internal issues which they have failed to deal with and are now seeking a scapegoat,” Otieno said.
With only six rounds of matches remaining to end the season, Tusker and KCB are the two teams fighting for the title – the Brewers leading the table on 55 points from 26 matches while the Bankers are second on 54 points from 26 matches, hence leaving the historical rivals with only but bragging rights to fight for.
If Saturday’s meeting will happen, then it will be the third this season as the first leg in the league ended in a goalless boring draw, while the second meeting was recently during the Betway shield cup finals when Gor edged out Ingwe by a solitary goal to book their continental ticket next season.
Nick Mwendwa’s FKF is now in a tussle with two historical east African giants, something that might deny Kenyans a mouthwatering clash, but also end up in the corridors of justice.
By Shadrack Andenga Odinga
