‘Modo’ rejects ending league prematurely
AFC Leopards coach Anthony ‘Modo’ Kimani is against calls to end the Kenyan leagues prematurely due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Kimani feels it would be unfair for the leagues to end now given a quarter of the season was still remaining before the games were suspended due to the global spread of the virus.
There were calls from some quarters to have the leagues ended now with Gor Mahia and Nairobi City Stars who are currently leading the Kenyan Premier League and National Super League crowned champions.
Also Read:
Football Kenya Federation CEO Barry Otieno had also hinted at that happening in case the prevailing situation does not slow down soon but Kimani says that would not be right since other teams still had a chance to fight for the title while the matter of relegation and promotion would also need sorting out.
“We should not take advantage of the league suspension to rush decisions which have very heavy impact on some teams.
The federation should at the very least consult widely on this issue which to me is very sensitive particularly for the teams fighting relegation.
I believe many teams particularly at the bottom would feel they had a chance to fight with 12 matches of the season left to play,” said Kimani.
“If they believe they have a chance for survival, then these decisions would be harsh for sure and that would bring lots of noise,” said Modo, who has asked the league’s governing body Kenya Premier League and FKF, to readjust the calendar instead and run the season to completion once the pandemic is quelled.
Kakamega Homeboyz and Tusker FC had called on the football authorities to exercise fairness considering the Kenyan Premier League was still being closely fought.
Gor lead the standings with 54 points from 23 matches, seven ahead of second-placed Homeboyz and eight adrift of Tusker in third, having played one match more than the two.
In the second tier, City Stars have 64 points from 26 matches, 10 ahead of Bidco United, in second, and 12 more than third-placed Vihiga United, meaning the two still have a mathematical chance of claiming the title.
The argument fronted by FKF was that deadlines for Confederation of African Football (CAF) entry to continental assignments would be affected by further delays and other related projects interfered with substantially.
