- As the saga surrounding the decision by Football Kenya Federation to declare Gor Mahia this season’s Kenyan Premier League champions take more twists, AFC Leopards’ chairman Dan Shikanda has said he will not dispute.
Earlier, Shikanda questioned Nick Mwendwa, the FKF chief, for his decision saying he had no mandate to make such a hasty decision. Shikanda was furious as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) was yet to issue a directive on its leagues that were interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.
“What is the hurry for?” questioned Shikanda. “We are consulting and in a few days, we will take the next step. Champions are declared on the pitch, if not then the league should be voided,” Shikanda added.
The Leopards supremo has now distanced himself and refocuses on the issue of malicious businessmen misusing the Ingwe brand name to produce counterfeit products aimed at keeping Kenyans safe and selling to them.
He also shows concerns over the quality of Kenyan football indicating that the management is failing the football fraternity. There have been discussions going around questioning how FKF exercises its leadership mandate.
Shikanda stated: “lack of proper guidelines and laws to guide the game in the country.” He further explained that if nothing is done, the growth of football in Kenya will stagnate.
FKF expresses no interest in changing its decision after President Nick Mwendwa declared Gor Mahia champions and forwarded K’Ogalo’s name to CAF on Sunday as the Kenyan representatives in the African Champions League next season.
For that reason, Shikanda has decided to quit the battle that is not likely to end soon as negative reactions keep streaming in. He has left K’Ogalo’s promotion to the hands of fate has he has learned from AFC Leopards’’ experience.
Shikanda concluded: “History will judge Gor Mahia harshly just like the debate on who won the league in 1971 has followed AFC Leopards to date. I will not be heading to the tribunal but let it be known that existing procedures in law were not used in declaring this season’s champions”
