Ze Maria congratulates Tusker, slams points deduction

Gor Mahia head coach Jose ‘Ze Maria’ Marcelo Ferreira has congratulated Tusker FC for winning the 2016 Kenyan Premier League (KPL) that ended their three year grip on the title.

The former Brazilian international conceded it was Tusker’s season and it was normal for teams to lose titles as he prepares to rouse his team for their season ending clash with the new champions after the international break.

Ze Maria who played for Italian giants Inter Milan praised his charges for the spirited last-minute fight they put in an attempt to reel in the Brewers in the title chase that ended on Sunday when Tusker beat arch-rivals AFC Leopards 1-0 to open an unassailable four point cushion with a game to go at the KPL summit.

While Gor had many chances in the second leg to catch up with their rivals only to be undone by many draws, the Brazilian blamed Football Kenya Federation (FKF) to loosening their grip on the domestic crown.

“We could have won the league had it not been for the federation’s decision to chop three points following crowd trouble in one of our matches. It is the first time I am seeing this in my football history.

“In such instances in Europe, teams play on empty stadia and hard earned points are not deducted. I’m seeing this in Kenya,” the disappointed Ze Maria told Citizen Digital.

Gor were docked three points by KPL’s Independent Disciplinary and Complaints Commission (IDCC) when their first leg clash against Tusker was halted for almost quarter of an hour when trouble blamed on the Green Army supporters flared up in the stands.

The decision was upheld by FKF’s Independent Disciplinary and Appeals Commission on four counts before Gor moved to the Government’s Sports Tribunal in a final bid to quash the decision but that was also turned down.

“In view of the foregoing, the following orders commend themselves to the tribunal:  ‘order @ of the IDCC dated 26th May, 2016 and affirmed by the IDCC on the 15th June, 2016 is upheld,” the John Ohaga led Tribunal ruled at the time.

Ze Maria said even big names Like Manchester United, Barcelona and Real Madrid have previously lost league titles and so Gor losing was not the end of the world.

Ze Maria intends to see out his contract with Gor in a bid to reclaim their crown and add more silverware next season.

“I have not been told anything about termination and so believe I’m still the head coach. I also have good relations with the club officials and I don’t think they are up to any bad motive,” the former Selacao defender added.

Ze Maria will sit down with club officials to discuss the changes on the playing unit ahead of the next campaign.

“They have also seen our weak points and it will not be a personal decision. Some players have not been effective and have to be released,” he added.

Ze Maria cautioned Tusker to expect the mother of all contests in the season finale as the dethroned champions battle for pride.