Moment when Leopards goons disrupted K’Ogalo party – VIDEO
Kenyan giants Gor Mahia on Saturday sealed an unprecedented 17th SportPesa Premier League (SPL) title with six matches to spare in stylish fashion – whipping arch-rivals AFC Leopards 2-0 in a Mashemeji derby at Kasarani stadium.
The win took Gor’s points tally to an unassailable 71 points after 28 rounds, a whopping 23 ahead of third-placed Leopards.
Winger Boniface Omondi and midfielder Bernard Ondiek struck a goal apiece in the first half to march K’Ogalo to their second title in a row.
It was however Ondiek’s goal a minute to the breather that sparked chaotic scenes among a section of Leopards fans who within a twinkle of an eye uprooted seats from the VIP stand and hurled them on the pitch.
UGLY CONFRONTATION
The fracas forced referee Felix Ekai to stop the match as stewards attempted to calm down the agitated Ingwe fans.
Gor coach Dylan Kerr’s stepped in to intervene but his efforts fell on deaf ears as Ingwe fans continued rain all manner of objects on the pitch.
The match resumed after eight minutes stoppage before the fans revisited the misconduct at the break, this time round throwing the uprooted seats on the opposing stand occupied by Gor Mahia fans.
Tempers were only cooled down after police officers stepped in to salvage the situation which was threatening to degenerate into an ugly confrontation.
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“This is bad for Kenyan football, I thought such acts ended after the last Mashemeji derby. Such should be a friendly atmosphere, I tried to cool them down but my TM (Jolawi Obondo) was mad at me saying I will be killed. But I am here to help Kenyan football grow,” said Kerr after the match.
His counterpart Rodolfo Zapata was gracious in defeat and congratulated Gor Mahia for their league victory while also wishing them success in their next assignment away to Algerian side USM Alger in the Caf Confederation Cup Group D fixture on Wednesday.
“They’ve a consistent program with players and coaches, that’s why they’ve dominated the league. We did our best but we’ve a young team that will rock in future,” the Argentine said.
The Kenyan Premier League Limited will for sure wait for the match officials’ report to sanction the acts of hooliganism that were witnessed at a venue that is scheduled to host the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier against Ghana on September 8.