Coach Zico rues GOtv Shield reinstatements timing

Posta Rangers Head Coach Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno has welcomed their reinstatement to the GOTV shield tournament, albeit counting the setbacks of delayed justice.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Independent Disciplinary Appeals Committee (IDAC) handed Posta Rangers a life line to the tournament on Thursday by ruling that the club be reinstated in the competition.

“In the first place they were wrong to bar us from the tournament without a valid reason, then after the appeal it was seen that we are right. This has put us in an awkward situation since we shall start playing catch up matches which we were not supposed to play.

“It will affect the players since we shall also be focusing on the Kenya Premier League matches (KPL), but as a coach you must know how to balance the two since other teams will also be playing in two tournaments,” the former Harambee Stars tactician told Citizen Digital.

Posta had been thrown out of the competition after the Round of 64 matches, for allegedly fielding former Ulinzi Stars striker John Nairuka against Timsales FC before his clearance to by the federation play for them.

Posta will now play Ushuru on Saturday at the Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium before facing Agro-Chemicals on Wednesday in the round of 16 ahead of congested KPL fixtures.

“Over the weekend we just had a league match, and it will not be that bad. The one that will hit us hard is on Wednesday, if we qualify on Saturday since we shall have to play midweek and on Sunday we play a tough match against Mathare United.” added Otieno.

IDAC however directed FKF CEO Robert Muthomi, to find a less punitive punishment for Posta Rangers.

“I have received and acted on IDAC’s directive by reinstating Posta Rangers to the GOTV Shield tournament

“In accordance with the ruling, Posta Rangers will pay Ksh 100,000 for their actions,” the CEO said.

 Full Fixtures

3:00 Saturday, September 17, 2016 Posta Rangers Ushuru Nyayo/Kasarani

2:00 Saturday, September 17, Western Stima KCB Kisumu TV

4:15 Saturday, September 17, Nzoia Sugar Ulinzi Stars Kisumu TV

3:00 Sunday, September 18, Kariobangi Sharks Bandari Nyayo TV

3:00 Wednesday, September 21, Ushuru/Posta AgroChemical Nyayo

3:00 Wednesday, September 28, Tusker vs Ushuru/Posta vs Agro Chemical Nyayo

3:00 Saturday, October 1, 2016 Semi-finals

3:00 Sunday, October 2, 2016 Semi-finals

3:00 Thursday, October 20, 2016 Final

-Additional Reporting by Jacob Icia.