Gor Mahia official claps back at AFC Leopards coach after controversial claims
Reading Time: 3min | Mon. 25.05.26. | 19:20
Her remarks came after an agitated Ambani blamed AFC Leopards’ 2-1 defeat to APS Bomet on poor officiating and questioned the decision to appoint the referee for such a crucial fixture
Gor Mahia deputy chairlady Sally Bolo has strongly responded to AFC Leopards head coach Fred Ambani following his explosive remarks on officiating after Ingwe’s damaging defeat to APS Bomet on Sunday.
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The football administrator called on stakeholders to uphold professionalism, civility, and the spirit of sportsmanship, warning against emotional reactions that could damage the image of the FKF Premier League.
“As football leaders, administrators, and coaches, we must uphold civility, professionalism, and the true spirit of sportsmanship; unfortunately, we have lately witnessed emotional outbursts that only end up discrediting the same league our clubs participate in and work hard to grow.”
Her remarks came after an agitated Ambani blamed AFC Leopards’ 2-1 defeat to APS Bomet on poor officiating and questioned the decision to appoint the referee for such a crucial fixture.
“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 told reporters after the match.
However, Bolo termed the comments unfortunate and accused the Ingwe tactician of making remarks that carried dangerous ethnic undertones.
“The remarks by AFC Leopards coach Fred Ambani after their 2-1 loss to APS Bomet were unfortunate, shocking, and carried dangerous ethnic undertones, insinuating that match officials were influenced to favour or frustrate certain teams.
That line of thinking is unacceptable and has no place in modern football,” she said.
The Gor Mahia official further defended the process used in appointing referees, insisting officials are selected on merit and competence rather than ethnic background.
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“Referees are appointed based on competence and merit by the relevant authorities, not ethnic orientation.
We cannot normalise profiling officials or looking for scapegoats every time results do not go our way. Football must unite us, not divide us along tribal lines,” added Bolo.
She also urged clubs and officials to protect the integrity of Kenyan football, especially during emotionally charged moments in the title race.
“As Gor Mahia celebrates yet another deserved league title, let us all remember that winning and losing are part of the game, but respect for the sport and its institutions must always come first. We need to style up and protect the integrity of Kenyan football.”
The reaction came shortly after Gor Mahia reclaimed the FKF Premier League title following AFC Leopards’ defeat to APS Bomet at Kericho Green Stadium.
With both sides still having matches remaining before Sunday’s fixtures, Leopards needed a victory to keep pressure on their rivals in the title race.
However, the loss handed Gor Mahia a four-point lead at the summit, effectively ending Ingwe’s hopes of overtaking K’Ogalo.
Gor Mahia now sits on top with 68 points from 32 matches, while AFC Leopards remain second on 64 points with only one fixture left to play.
K’Ogalo will conclude their campaign with matches against Mara Sugar FC and Nairobi United.