Kalekwa blames poor officiating for Sofapaka defeat to Bandari FC

Sofapaka President Elly Kalekwa has slammed poor officiating following the team’s 2-0 FKF Premier League defeat against Bandari at Mbaraki Sports Club on Saturday.

Batoto ba Mungu went into the game seeking to deny Bandari a fifth straight game without a win. However, it was the Dockers, who turned on the screw to win the fixture courtesy of a first half brace from striker Erisat Orute.

The win enabled Bandari’s new coach Mohammed Borji to register his first win since replacing Kennedy Odhiambo. Speaking after the game, a frustrated Kalekwa, who confronted match officials at the half-time break, blamed the defeat to poor officiating.

Sofapaka were denied a clean penalty

“The calls from the centre referee were very poor,” Kalekwa said as quoted by Flashscore. “The referee didn’t know what was happening, even Bandari were surprised, because it was totally poor officiating, I have never seen such a thing before in Kenyan football.

“We got a penalty but the referee instead, gave us a free-kick. The foul happened inside the box, but what we got was a free-kick from outside the area. The first goal from Bandari was a clean goal, but the second one was clean offside.”

Kalekwa added: “The second goal did not deserve to count, the player, who eventually received the ball to score was all alone up front, a clear offside, but the referee went ahead to give the offside goal.”

An agitated Kalekwa continued: “The centre referee gave Bandari every advantage, even the advantage meant for Sofapaka went to Bandari. They came into the game with the mindset that Sofapaka must lose.”

Kalekwa promised to petition the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) over what happened down in Coast. He said: “The game was not live on any channel. Let all Premier League matches be live, and that is the only way to improve the game.

“The game deserved 15 minutes of added time but the referee only added seven. We will make a formal complaint to FKF on what transpired in Mombasa. I would fairly take a 5-0 defeat from Bandari or any other side in the league, than when someone takes away the game from me, very unfortunate to see such officiating.”

Sofapaka dropped to ninth on the table with 11 points from nine matches. They will next face Ulinzi Stars on Saturday.

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