KPL willing to start 2017 league minus Muhoroni, Sofapaka

The Kenyan Premier League (KPL) Limited is willing to compromise and start the 2017 top flight competition without Muhoroni Youth FC and Sofapaka pending the verdict of their cases lodged against Football Kenya Federation at the Sports Disputes Tribunal.

This is a departure from their stand last week when the KPL included Muhoroni and Sofapaka in their 2017 fixtures rota in protest at the decision by the federation to relegate them for not meeting the CAF Licensing rules requirements.

On Tuesday, the fate of Muhoroni and Sofapaka was left hanging in the air after the Tribunal announced another mention of the case lodged by the latter would be done on Tuesday with a hearing of both of their cases set for March 2.

It went against expectations that the John Ohaga-led Tribunal would deliver a final verdict on the cases brought by the two teams brought against the FKF thereby extending the uncertainty of the delayed start to the 2017 KPL.

Last Friday, the SDT directed KPL to start the 2017 league within two weeks without the inclusion of four teams engulfed at the centre of their standoff with the FKF.

Alongside Muhoroni and Sofapaka, second-tier sides KCB FC and Vihiga United who were promoted to take their places in were temporarily also struck off the 2017 topflight league.

KPL CEO Jack Oguda confirmed plans to draw the league’s fixtures afresh were underway with the inclusion of Zoo Kericho FC and Nakumatt both of which had earlier been omitted from fixtures initially circulated.

“We cannot go against the ruling of the tribunal so we’ll sit down and draw up fixtures for the new league as soon as possible,”

Sofapaka and Muhoroni are challenging Football Kenya Federation’s decision to relegate them from the top flight for failing to meet the CAF Licensing threshold.

On Saturday, eight of the 16 KPL club chairmen failed to honour summons by FKF for a consultative meeting with federation President quick to assure the dismal attendance in no way signaled a prevailing discord between the two.

Mwendwa who chaired the meeting at Nairobi’s Kasarani Stadium said he had sought ‘a way to work together’ after the long standoff that has seen the top division delayed by over two weeks.

“The league is going to start as soon as possible with 16 teams and we’re happy with that position. I think we’re comfortable with where we are today and looking forward to having the next two teams join the rest.

“Now we’re only urging the rest to put their minds back to the pitch and let’s play,” Mwendwa underscored.