Football Kenya Federation is facing criticism for allowing Shabana and Gor Mahia to play at Gusii Stadium following pre-match clashes that left several fans with injuries.
The signs were there but somehow, they were ignored.
Ahead of Shabana’s home match against Gor Mahia at the Gusii Stadium on Sunday, both sets of fans were chest thumping and there were indications that chaos would ensue.
That led to calls from certain quarters to have the match staged at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi but the hosts would hear none of it as they thought that would deny them home ground advantage.
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15:09 - 04.05.2025
Shame as Match Officials Greenlight Game Despite Death in Shabana-Gor Mahia Stands
Match officials allowed the Shabana vs Gor Mahia game to proceed despite deadly fan clashes, sparking outrage and national condemnation.
Football Kenya Federation (FKF), the body responsible for running the game in the country, agreed with the decision and it is not certain what safety measures were put in place or the guarantees that were offered but as it turned out to be, it was a poor decision.
Hours ahead of kick off, the Gusii Stadium, which can host 12,000 fans was full and then trouble ensued when both sets of fans clashed.
This led to fist fights, stone-throwing and running battles and the results were several fans injured before the match had started, delaying the kick off by over 40 minutes.
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13:27 - 04.05.2025
Shabana vs Gor Mahia: Chaos at Gusii Stadium as Fan Clashes Leave Dozens Injured
Fan clashes erupted at Gusii Stadium ahead of the Shabana vs Gor Mahia match, leaving several injured and match plans uncertain.
The bone of contention was that both sets of fans were fighting over which area to occupy at the terraces as apart from the VIP dais, which was open to fans from both sides, organisers had allocated Shabana supporters 10 ordinary stands while Gor Mahia had just three.
However, K’Ogalo fans filled up their stand by 11am and with more coming, there was no space and a battle ensued over the ‘big space’ allocated to Shabana, leading to the clashes that left fans with injuries.
It led to calls from some quarters for the match to be postponed but it would go on with Gor Mahia winning courtesy of Sylvester Owino’s late header, to keep alive their hopes of winning the FKF Premier League title but the injuries to fans left FKF on the spot over the decision to allow Gusii Stadium to stage the high-risk match.
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17:30 - 04.05.2025
Sylvester Owino Dagger Hands Gor Mahia Hard-Fought Win Against Shabana in Clash Overshadowed By Fan Chaos
Sylvester Owino's goal was enough to give Gor Mahia all the three points to break Shabana hearts at the Gusii Stadium in Kisii on Sunday.
It is another bitter lesson being learned by the Hussein Mohammed-led administration which also came under criticism following the ugly scenes witnessed at Nyayo Stadium during Harambee Stars’ World Cup qualifier against Gabon in March.