AFC leopards have reportedly filed a protest against Tanzanian side Simba on the grounds that the latter fielded a player who is not officially its player. Gor Mahia, on the other hand, have conceded defeat and accepted that their journey towards the third consecutive Sportpesa Cup title has come to an end.
Ingwe lost 2-1 to Simba in the Sportpesa Supercup quarter finals but claim that fielding an unauthorised players qualifys for disqualification. Ghanaian International Larine Moro is the player in question with Leopards claiming that his contract with Zambian side Buildcon is still valid.
According to Saul Shyder, a Leopards official and team’s Chef de Mission, AFC have evidence to prove that Moro is a Buildcon player. “I don’t think Simba are more special compared to all the other teams featuring in this tournament,” Shyder pointed out, “He (Moro) is a Buildcon player and we have evidence, we filed a protest at half-time so it is up to the Tanzanian Football Federation and tournament organisers to dispense justice.”
Ingwe’s local rivals have accepted their exit from the tournament and left Dar Es Saalam on Thursday morning for Nairobi. Gor’s form this season has been relatively compared to the past two seasons that they won league titles unbeaten.
Gor’s forward Dennis Oliech expressed his shock after his side’s defeat against Mbao FC. “I am so sad with the result. I was not expecting this, I was fired up for this competition and I thought we will win it,” said the former Harambee Stars skipper.
“It is down to luck we tried our best, played very well and looked to have done everything but it didn’t happen. We cannot feel sorry for ourselves but only work harder and move over to the next challenge.” added Oliech.
The journey continues. We march in the semi final tomorrow against #SportPesaCupNiYetu @SimbaSCTanzania #SportPesaCup #BandariNiYetu @SportPesa_Care @SportpesaNews @ArtstandingKE @SimbaSCTanzania pic.twitter.com/KpMrtY6J3u
— Bandari FC (@BandariOfficial) January 24, 2019
Kenyan fans had high hopes of seeing an all Kenyan semi-final fixtures but Gor and AFC disappointed while Bandari and Sharks pulled through to the semis.
This afternoon from 12:00 PM, Africa’s largest mobile screen will visit Ngong Kwa Stage for the #SportPesaCup semi finals match screening.
✅ @BandariOfficial vs @SimbaSCTanzania
✅@k_sharksfc vs @OfficialMbaoFcExperience football on stadiums on wheels. pic.twitter.com/MSZEznDHAN
— SportPesa Care (@SportPesa_Care) January 25, 2019
Either Bandari or Kariobangi Sharks will be carrying the hopes of Kenya in the finals as fans hope to watch another game between Everton and the Kenyan side.
Gor Mahia were the victors in the first two editions of the tournament hence playing Everton twice and losing on both occasions.