Leopards officials contradict on match-fixing claims

AFC Leopards Deputy Secretary General, Stazo Omung’alo, on Thursday denied the club had terminated contracts of four players over match-fixing allegations, contradicting Chairman Dan Mule’s earlier statement.

Mule told Citizen Digital on Wednesday Ingwe had terminated the contracts of Edwin Wafula, keeper Lucas Indeche, Yusuf Juma and Kepha Aswani on sensational claims of a deliberate attempt to sell Sunday’s Kenyan Premier League (KPL) title-decider to Tusker FC along with under-performance and indiscipline.

However, Omung’alo offered contrasting details while stating only the Secretary General’s office had the authority to address the public on such matters on behalf of the club.

“We only gave notice of a suspension so that they could explain reasons behind their under-performance, inciting other players and gross indiscipline. We’re not accusing any of them of match-fixing but we only felt they haven’t been giving 100 percent on the pitch,” Deputy Secretary General, Stazo Omung’ala clarified.

This comes barely hours after the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) stated they will sanction neither Tusker nor any of the four AFC Leopards players named in the match-fixing allegation.

KPL CEO Jack Oguda maintained neither party involved has launched an official complaint to their administration and will thus not initiate investigations nor charge them for misconduct.

“As it stands we cannot act on rumors and unverified reports. We believe the spirit of fair play will be followed not only in the said match but all other remaining matches of the season,” Oguda asserted.

The Brewers – who will be crowned champions should they win against on Sunday – have equally denied the claims, saying they need no helping hand from any club to secure the title they last won in 2012.

During his unveiling on Monday, freshly appointed Leopards Head Coach Stewart Hall said his focus was not on the weight of the clash but in ensuring his team performs to their level best.

“I work for AFC Leopards, not Gor Mahia or Tusker. I will do my best for Leopards, what the best result for my club means to other clubs is none of my business,” Hall charged.

Meanwhile, Oguda confirmed kick-off times for the decisive fixtures of round 29 will not be changed, albeit acknowledging it’s a loophole that might give undue advantage to either of the two clubs in contention for the league crown saying it is a loophole that needs to be fixed in future.

“All matches for the last day as a tradition will start at the same time, because much will be at stake including the top eight finish battle.

“For this second last round that had not been considered earlier but we may need to address such a phenomenon in future.”

Gor will travel to Muhoroni Youth on Saturday in Kisumu, a day earlier than Tusker’s clash in Nakuru.

-Additional reporting by Jacob Icia.