Punish Gor, Leopards hooligans on the
Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards fans are on the spot again after incidents of hooliganism.
On Saturday, Gor Mahia’s coach Leornado Martins was assaulted by a section of the team’s supporters after a 2-2 draw with Murang’a Seal at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos. This came just days after the Brazilian had to be escorted to the dressing room amid a similar incident after the team lost 2-1 to Nairobi City Stars at the same venue. Yesterday, Leopards coach Tomas Trucha had to be whisked away to safety after the team lost 2-0 to Ulinzi Stars at Kinoru Stadium.
These incidents highlight a troubling resurgence of hooliganism in Kenyan football – a persistent issue that remains unaddressed. Although the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Leagues and Competition Committee and Sports Kenya have several times fined clubs and ordered them to play matches behind closed doors because of fan trouble, these measures appear insufficient to deter such misbehaviours. Sports Kenya imposed penalties against the two clubs following the destruction of property during their Mashemeji Derby on April 21 at the Nyayo National Stadium.
Leopards and Gor were fined Sh505,000 and Sh126,000 respectively for the damage during their match that witnessed a record entry, but the measures seem not punitive enough. FKF should come up with stricter measures to stop hooliganism, including adequate security before the start of every match and banning fans who engage in the vice.
Generally, this year had witnessed the gradual return of fans to matches with minimal hooliganism before the chaos from the Mashemeji Derby and the recent incidents ruined the peace. The success of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which Kenya will co-host with Uganda and Tanzania, will depend on the turnout of fans.
