Gor, FKF trade accusations over chaotic Zambian trip

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has refuted allegations that it was responsible for Gor Mahia FC’s shambolic preparations for their trip to Zambia where they were due to honour the second leg of their CAF Confederation Cup playoff against NAPSA Stars.

Gor had claimed that FKF had promised to pay for their air tickets with funds from their entitlements from the league betting firm sponsors and the pay TV company StarTimes which is the top-flight league’s broadcast partner.

According to FKF CEO Barry Otieno, the national organisation made no such pledge.

“We had no agreement with Gor. Any agreement should be formally signed. These allegations that we failed to avail air tickets are false since we never had any such agreement,’’ Otieno said.

Otieno added there was no way they could even promise Gor tickets yet the Kenyan champions have yet to withdraw the case against StarTimes Media in which they are seeking to reverse an endorsement of their broadcast partnership.

Otieno said Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier had written a withdrawal notice but the case is still pending.

“Where could we get the money for their flight to Zambia yet they wrote to StarTimes to cancel the broadcast rights endorsement? They will be entitled to proceeds from StarTimes when the case shall have been withdrawn fully.’’

According to Aduda, money that would be spent on the purchase of Air tickets would be deducted from what the federation would give them as grants from the sponsors and was not a mere assistance.

‘’When we approached the Federation, they agreed to purchase Air tickets for the team but on the evening of travel at around 4pm, the CEO texted our team manager with a regret message that they would not cater for our travel. We had no option but to source for a chartered flight and in the process arrived late in Zambia,’’ explained Aduda.

The Federation is further blaming Gor Mahia for failing to repay Ksh. 1 million advanced to them during their Champions League match against Rwanda’s APR.

But according to Aduda, they received the first batch of payment three months ago and were expecting the second payment early last week. Aduda said it was so difficult for the team since on arrival in Lusaka, they had to undergo mandatory Covid 19 tests and headed straight to the pitch to honour the fixture.

‘’The match commissioner communicated to us saying CAF has declined to push forward kick off time. The boys were so tired but went ahead to display their talent despite later being robbed courtesy of poor officiating.’’

According to Aduda, the cancellation of the promise by the federation put the office back onthe drawing board hence the last minute arrival in Zambia.