Homeboyz vs Leopards game abandoned after violent pitch invasion

The FKF Premier League match between Kakamega Homeboyz and AFC Leopards was abandoned amid a chaotic pitch invasion in Kakamega County on Sunday.

Irate fans from the Leopards end stormed onto the pitch late in the first half of the game in protest of a refereeing decision with hosts Homeboyz leading 1-0 at the Bukhungu Stadium.

The center referee had failed to penalise the Homeboyz goalkeeper Farouk Shikhalo after he allegedly handled the ball outside his box, causing dissent and eventually sparking the invasion.

Among those visibly incensed by the decision was the Leopards head coach Patrick Aussems.

Efforts by the security officers and matchday stewards to contain the angry fans were futile as they charged towards the referees.

The ugly scenes prompted the home support to react, engaging their rival fans in running battles and stone throwing.

Police had to call for backup reinforcement and were forced to fire tea gas to disperse the fans who had now blocked down the busy Kakamega-Webuye highway.

Moses Shumah scored the lone goal for Homeboyz before the match was ultimately abandoned.

The chairmen of both clubs traded accusations, with each defending their teams.

Homeboyz Chairman Cleophas Shimanyula accused the Leopards fans for sabotaging the game because they already sensed defeat.

“We were ready for Leopards and we were going to beat them, but what happened was uncalled for. I want to tell the fans that it's not a must that the team you are supporting will win, in football you either win or lose,” Shimanyula said.

But the Leopards Chairman Dan Shikanda quickly deflected blame on the center referee for alleged bias in officiating as well as poor security by the home team.

“We traveled all the way for three points but it is unfortunate that the officials were biased and also the security was very poor regarding considering this was always going to be a tense match,” Shikanda said.

Kakamega governor Fernandez Barasa who had come to watch the match that was well attended, condemned the violence that was witnessed and also cautioned the match officials on making wrong decisions.