There has been an uproar over Gor Mahia and other KPL players participating in ‘Sunday League’ matches and tournaments for small community teams while the Kenya Premier League season is underway.
The issue came to the surface when Gor Mahia coach Leonard Neiva suspended 4 Gor Mahia players for indiscipline and unprofessionalism before their game against Nairobi City Stars on Monday 28th October.
The 4 players suspended were Enock Morrison, Paul Ochuoga, Musa Masika and Chris Ochieng. They were accused of participating in an armature tournament game just a day before Gor Mahia met with City Stars.
Gor was already missing 5 players on national team duty, and the suspension of another 4 players really affected the team’s performance as City Stars went on to win the match 2-1, subjecting Gor Mahia to their first defeat of the season.
At the center of the controversy is a small community team called A Mosquito FC, which has attracted a few Gor Mahia and other KPL players to play matches for them in between KPL league games. Zied FC also has Gor and AFC Leopards players in their ranks.
One Gor Mahia fan Awilo Galdez had this to say, “There is something our players have called Mosquito FC. If you are on TikTok you can see it. A number of them are currently playing there yet we have a league that’s still on . They are focused on playing tournaments and are therefore tired during match days”.
Angry fans have expressed their displeasure at this lack of professionalism from players and called for severe punishment.
Another Kogalo fan Owili Madoro posted this on Facebook; “How dare they play these games when the season is on more so prior to match day and some even fake injuries to shine in these amateurs…Fire those players or bench them whole season unless they change, recruit players who understand what it means playing for the badge.”
It is not just Gor Mahia which is affected as evidence has emerged showing players from AFC Leopards and other KPL teams have also been participating in these amateur tournaments for A mosquito FC and Zied FC. They include Victor Omune, Musa Masika, Maingi, and Kevin Kimani. Evidence shows that Ronney Onyango and Austin Odhiambo have also featured for A Mosquito FC before.
It is reported that Ingwe’s top signing Masaba khurula Butere picked an injury from these small tournaments, making him unavailable to play for AFC Leopards.
Meanwhile, Gor Mahia Vice Chairman Francis Wasuna has said that there will be more sanctions for the suspended players, and any other member who acts unprofessionally.