AFC Leopards in race against time to secure venue for Bandari clash after Sports Kenya sanctions

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AFC Leopards in race against time to secure venue for Bandari clash after Sports Kenya sanctions

Joel Omotto 05:34 - 02.05.2024

AFC Leopards are still not sure where they will host Bandari FC on Sunday after being barred from Nyayo Stadium where they must pay a fine to access.

AFC Leopards chairman Dan Shikanda has expressed his frustration at their current predicament as they are forced to look for an alternative venue or pay a hefty fine to access Nyayo Stadium this weekend.

Leopards are set to host Bandari FC in their next FKF Premier League match on Sunday and had planned to stage the contest at Nyayo Stadium, their traditional home in Nairobi, but have been barred from the facility by Sports Kenya.

Ingwe and Gor Mahia were fined Ksh505,450 and Ksh126,000 respectively by Sport Kenya on Tuesday following destruction of property by a section of their fans during the Mashemeji derby which K’Ogalo won 1-0 on April 21.

Further, Leopards have been temporary barred from using any Sports Kenya facility until the fines are fully paid following the damage that saw a polycarbonate canopy at the players' tunnel, numerous fixed and portable seats, all-metal shovels, corner flags, and even taps and gate valves broken.

That means Ingwe must pay the fine before Sunday or look for an alternative venue which could see them incur extra costs if they opt to host Bandari out of Nairobi.

“We do not have anywhere to go. We have thought of Narok and Nakuru but it is not possible now. The Machakos pitch is also not in good condition,” Shikanda told Pulse Sports on Wednesday.

“We still do not know where we will play Bandari and if we do not get a venue in time we could end up giving a walkover and these are the results. Nyayo is our home but how do you break your home?” posed Shikanda while hitting out at Leopards fans over the vandalism at Nyayo Stadium.

As of now, Ulinzi Complex appear to be the only other venue Ingwe could stage their match in Nairobi if they do not pay the fine in time given Dandora Stadium, which hosted their FKF Cup last weekend, has two other matches lined up on Sunday.

The Leopards boss hopes the supporters can learn from this incident and exercise restraint to avoid costing the club more in future.

“The fans need to understand that building a team needs patience. While the results have not always been positive, we have been playing very good football,” he added.

“We are trying to move to the next level but they are bringing us down. We have put in so much to get fans to be proud of the team but we are eroding these gains.”

Leopards, who sailed through to the FKF Cup semi-final following last weekend’s 3-1 win over Compel FC, are hoping to get back to winning ways in the league after the Mashemeji derby defeat.

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