Clubs want home matches against Gor in Nairobi

By Gilbert WanderaKenyan Premier League (KPL) clubs now want to host Gor Mahia in Nairobi, thanks to the latters’ improving performance.
Attendance at Gor matches has grown three-fold in recent months and there is now no difference between home and away matches as a new phenomenon of travelling fans has marked their matches.
Last weekend alone there were more than 3,000 fans who travelled to Mumias Sports Complex to watch Gor beat Western Stima 1-0.
With an increase in the number of fans has come increase in revenues and any match involving Gor always raises Sh1 million and above in gate collections.
Aware of this fact, other Kenyan Premier League (KPL) clubs are now opting to play their home matches against Gor in Nairobi to maximise on gate collections.
Though most clubs give security as the reason for preferring to play Gor in Nairobi, it is not lost on observers that they are charging the same gate charges that Gor Mahia charges for their home matches.
Champions Ulinzi are the latest to take advantage of this situation and have moved their second leg match against Gor to Nairobi on August 20.
According to Ulinzi Secretary General Joe Birgen they cannot guarantee the security of fans at Afraha Stadium on that day and have therefore requested KPL to move the match to Nairobi.
The KPL obliged and has announced Nyayo Stadium as the venue of the tie. Recently, Chemelil Sugar also played their match against Gor at Nakuru’s Afraha Stadium citing luck of adequate security in Chemelil.
The club made a record gate collection on that day.
Sony Sugar, however, declined to play Gor away from their Awendo homeground despite being ordered to do so. The match has been scheduled for August 27 but no venue has been set yet.
Gor Mahia Deputy Secretary General Ronald Ngala says they have no issues with the trend and are ready to play anywhere.
"We are aware that Ulinzi have decided to move their match to Nairobi owing to security concerns. We have no trouble with that and are ready to play anywhere," he said.
Elsewhere, with no league match this weekend, AFC Leopards travel to Tanzania this weekend for friendly international against Simba in Arusha.
Leopards leave the country today for the match on Sunday. They return back on Sunday and begin preparing for their midweek fixture against Sofapaka at Nyayo Stadium. Leopards lie 12th in the KPL standings.
And, Nakuru All Stars are not happy with the way FKL Cup fixtures have been revised, adds Ben Ahenda.
The team want to know why the federation changed their fixture and transferred it elsewhere without being informed.
Nakuru All Stars Chief Executive Officer Robert Muthomi said the move is aimed at profiting some big clubs.
"We are disgusted with this attempt to favour some big teams in the later stages of the FKL Cup," he said.