Gor Mahia’s Title Push Derailed as Court Halts Clash With Mara Sugar Over Venue Standoff

Gor Mahia and Mara Sugar will not face off this weekend after all, following a decision by the Sports Disputes Tribunal to halt the match until a matter before it is settled.

Mara Sugar were to host Gor Mahia in their penultimate match of the season but a standoff over their choice of venue has made it difficult to proceed.

Gor Mahia initially raised concerns over the state of Awendo Green Stadium which they did not deem safe enough to stage such a high stakes game as they stood a chance of being crowned champions if they won and Football Kenya Federation (FKF) ordered host team Mara Sugar to seek an alternative venue.

Mara Sugar would settle on Wang’uru Stadium in Mwea, Kirinyaga county but the federation rejected it, citing the club’s choice of Homa Bay Stadium and Jomo Kenyatta Mamboleo in Kisumu as their registered alternative home venues.

FKF ordered Mara Sugar to host the game in Homa Bay but the club contested the decision and sought the intervention of the Sports Tribunal, citing a clash in the rules and regulations applied by the federation.

The tribunal has therefore halted the match, pending the hearing and determination of an appeal filed by Mara Sugar which will be heard on Tuesday, May 26.

It derails Gor Mahia’s charge to the title as they needed one more win to be crowned and perhaps hands rivals AFC Leopards a psychological edge as Ingwe can close in to within one point if they beat APS Bomet on Sunday and apply pressure ahead of the final game.