Gor Mahia earn three free points after Moses Kuria’s team boycotts match over pay
Gor Mahia got three free points on Thursday afternoon after Mount Kenya United refused to honour their premier league assignment in the climax of a pay dispute with the management.
These two teams were scheduled to face off at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos from 3pm in a round of 24 Kenya Premier League clash, but the basement side’s contingent instead walked to City Stadium in Nairobi and staged a sit-in.
Coach Melis Medo confirmed this stance.
“I have tried to convince the players to honour this match but they have refused. They are way within their rights not to play so there is nothing I can do,” explained the coach.
“I have also not been paid for a while. I could be kicked out of my house today over rent arrears and my electricity people say they will disconnect supply this evening over the same issue.”
DOING ENOUGH
He added: “I think football in Kenya is all about politics and no tangible action. There is no problem in having five logos on the jerseys for example but are the concerned people doing enough to bring in more sponsors?”
One Mount Kenya player Nairobi News spoke to off the record at 2:50pm – about ten minutes to the match’s intended kick off time – explained the playing squad had not been paid for the past seven months. He also requested this writer to buy him “lunch”.
“I have been locked out of the house and haven’t eaten since yesterday. I am not in the right frame of mind to play the game and might even collapse on the pitch,” he said.
Currently, bottom of the 18-team league standings with 15-points from 24 matches and staring at relegation to the second tier National Super League, Mount Kenya United, formerly referred to as Nakumatt, is owned by a clique of Central Kenya politicians.
This walkover implies Gor Mahia will be awarded three points and three goals by the league organisers.
UPDATE | MOUNT KENYA UNITED vs @OfficialGMFC
Gor Mahia have been awarded their SPL 2018-19 Round 22 match against Mount Kenya United on a 2-0 win and 3 points basis after their opponents failed to show up at the match venue.
— KPL (@TheOfficialKPL) April 25, 2019