NSL tie aborts due to lack of venue

The National Super League (NSL) match between Green Commandos and Western Stima failed to kick off at Bukhungu Stadium Saturday after the management of the stadium denied them access to the playing field.

It was an interesting scenario as the stadium top brass had allowed officials of both clubs to attend a pre-match meeting at the facility which was chaired by match commissioner James Vernatius at 10 am.

Drama unfolded when both teams turned up for the match and found the changing rooms locked. The players had to be inspected at the main stand by the fourth official Andrew Opul.

The stadium manager Titus Otiende said he had communicated to management of the home team, Green Commandos, in advance about the unavailability of the stadium through their team manager Khalifa Salim.

“I informed Green Commandos officials that the stadium had been closed due to massive construction work that was going on in preparation for the National Mashujaa Day celebrations that would be held here next month,” Otiende told Nation Sport.

Western Stima FC Chairman Laban Jobita regretted the mishap given that they had spent over Sh300,000 preparing the team for the crucial match.

“Under the circumstances the home team was supposed to identify an alternative venue for the match within 72 hours and inform us not later than 48 hours as per football rules,” Jobita said.

The match commissioner Vernatius said he would write a report to Football Kenya Federation (FKF) whose League and Competitions Committee will deliberate on the matter.

Western Stima are at the summit of the NSL standing table with 70 points after playing 32 matches. Green Commandos FC are 15th with 31 points having played 31 matches in the 19-team league.