SWILA: Leopards fans inject the mojo but the Caretaker Committee must settle referees dues

For instance, when on average most teams have played 19 games, Muranga SEAL, led by their head coach Vincent Nyaberi, are an unhappy lot. They have played three games less and coach Nayaberi feels this disadvantages the squad psychologically, in the chase for a higher finish in the league.

Nyaberi, like the rest of his counterparts, are also unimpressed with the level of officiating.

In fact, for Nyaberi, matters came to ahead two weeks ago when his side went down 3-0 to Kisumu All Stars in Kisumu, and he opines All Stars second goal had been scored from an offside position.

Sadly, for Nyaberi and his team, he might not have the benefit of lodging an appeal. In the current state of affairs where there is no broadcast partner for the leagues, the matches are not beamed live on TV, and few very local TV  stations, if any, are taking the trouble of giving these matches any attention.

Probably, match officials, aware of this weakness, have thrown caution to the wind, and the level of their game has gone south, so much so that complaints emerge week in week out.

That redress will be next to impossible is a blow to the teams. This is contrary to the situation we had six or seven years ago, when the top-tier league matches – KPL, Top 8 and FKF Cup competitions would be aired on TV – Supersport, giving the referees ethics committee a chance to review footage in case of complaints.

The matter is also compounded by the fact that the whistle blowers have not been paid their dues, for over a month, averagely four matches.

This had led to hue and cry.

This week, Ali Amour, a member of the FKF Caretaker Committee was at pains  explaining why the committee is yet to settle some of the referees' dues, yet the same men and women will have to travel thousands of miles, to oversee this sacred duty, of ensuring that the league matches – KPL and NSL - and the lower tier league matches are played!

Don’t be deceived; no man or woman works on an empty stomach. We’re all human after all. We need our families to be fed and clothed and our welfare taken care of. As such the chances of a hungry man offering good services is next to zero. This hunger boils, and turns to anger. It also comes with mental anguish, and instability, and may partly explain some of the horrible calls they’ve been making in the matches, be it in the top division or the lower tier competition.

With the situation getting out of hand, the Caretaker Committee must move with speed to address the situation. They have to dissuade the referees from possible go-slows or acts of sabotage that may further compound the situation and the little image left of our soccer. A lot is at stake and even with a Fifa ban hoovering over our head there is still a lot more than can be done to correct the mess that has dogged our football. I believe that getting the officiating right is top among them.

The Caretaker Committee must also quickly learn that with their six months’ mandate soon ending they will be put to task; what are the tangible achievements they’ve made within the short time they’ve been in office? Or will it be another merry-go-round - a taskforce formed or committee here and there that yielded no results?

Would there be justification of extending their mandate? If so, what are they?

In my view,  the committee, led by the good Retired Judge Aaron Ringera must address the teething issues with speed.

Away from that, there is a new lease of life in Kenyan’s 12-time league champions. I’m referring to AFC Leopards or simply Ingwe. The big cats are exuberant. They have reclaimed their spots or so they want us to believe. From their last match out, their claws were too sharp, devouring Police FC for a 3-0 win and pipping Wazito 2-1.

In fact, the stats make for very good reading for the team moreso at their home ground, the Nyayo National Stadium, which they’ve made a fortress. They are unbeaten in this venue, and their head coach Patrick Ausssems, the soft-spoken Belgian, is bullish.

This upsurge, to many, including Aussems, is as a result of the Ingwe fans, whom, unlike their noisy mashemejis Gor Mahia, have been turning up in droves to cheer their team.

You see, for long, the Ingwe nation, and we assumed the KÓgalo faithful too, had been deprived of soccer, – opportunity to watch it live. And when the Government lifted the ban on fans attending sporting activities, we thought they’d turn up in their numbers. Woe unto us! We were dead wrong. Like a dodo maybe. Gor have been a pale shadow of themselves. Not just on the pitch but on the terraces, where the bright blue and white spots of the Leopards have taken centre stage, laced with the sweet tunes of Isukuti.

For their vociferous support, I hail Ingwe fans. By supporting the team wholeheartedly they’ve set the ball rolling, now they have to maintain that standard, by walking the journey with the team, home and away matches, – paying the gate entrance and the club officials on their part, must ensure that the little the fans sacrifice in these tough economic times, whether Sh100 or Sh200, is reflected in the club coffers.

As things stand, Leopards are ninth on the grid, on 34 points, from 24 matches, a massive 19 from leaders Kakamega Homeboyz. The league title is tall order, but laying the foundation for next season with a young, enterprising squad, backed by their army of fans, can be something to look forward to.

The Gor nation, on the other hand, should take a hard look in the mirror: where are their fans? Who pricked their ego? Why are they not turning up in stadia? What became of the crowd they built in the yesteryears? It will not take a Causation or foreigner to build our teams. It rests on us – you and I. You might support the EPL teams on roof tops or shout your voices hoarse in bars while imbibing your favourite drink but the hard fact remains, these clubs belong to foreign nations, - the white men and women who worked so hard to build them - their players don’t know yo and they don’t take a damn on what you do, so get out of your comfort zone and build the home teams you claim to love.