AFC Leopards coach fingers referee after title collapse in Kericho
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Reading Time: 2min | Mon. 25.05.26. | 09:45
The result also guaranteed Ingwe a second-place finish on the table, a position that comes with a Ksh3 million prize money reward at the end of the season
AFC Leopards coach Fred Ambani has strongly criticised FKF Premier League officiating after his side’s defeat to APS Bomet, on Sunday, effectively ended their title ambitions and confirmed Gor Mahia as league champions.
Leopards went into the weekend still holding slim hopes of catching Gor Mahia in the title race, but a 2-1 defeat away to APS Bomet mathematically sealed the championship for K’Ogalo, who claimed a record-extending 22nd league title.
The result also guaranteed Ingwe a second-place finish on the table, a position that comes with a Ksh3 million prize money reward at the end of the season.
The match remained goalless at halftime before APS Bomet struck twice in quick succession through Philip Wasai shortly after the break.
Leopards managed to pull one back late on after Cliff Otieno turned the ball into his own net, but it proved too little too late for Ingwe.
A visibly frustrated Ambani, however, directed his anger towards referee Oyoo Diego, accusing the official of making questionable decisions in a high-stakes encounter.
“If we cannot change the officiating, we have a problem in Kenya. You cannot give a title-deciding game to a referee like this. The federation has to look into this,” Ambani said after the match.
The former Leopards striker pointed to an incident involving Hassan Beja, insisting his side should have been awarded a penalty after the attacker was allegedly brought down while advancing towards goal.
“Beja had made a run towards goal and was pulled back but he was denied a penalty and there was no booking.
You cannot be coming into a game with a pre-determined mind. It is wrong. The federation has to look at this. The kind of games they give to referees. I have never complained about referees but today, it is bull***t,” an upset Ambani further complained.
Despite missing out on the title, Leopards are assured of a runners-up finish and Ambani says his focus will now shift towards building a stronger squad capable of mounting another challenge next season.
Still, the tactician insists improvements in officiating are necessary if the FKF Premier League is to maintain credibility and competitiveness.
“We are going to prepare for next season but it will be useless if coaches do the work and decisions are made elsewhere,” he added. “We cannot sell Kenyan football if there are many things under the surface.”
“We must first clean the mess that is in the officiating. Once we do that, then we will get fairness in this league,” Ambani further stated.