Zico claims AFC Leopards stadium ban has no effect on performances

KCB FC head coach Zedekiah 'Zico' Otieno believes that the stadium ban imposed on AFC Leopards’ fans from attending the game did not make any difference to the outcome.

The Bankers rallied from two goals down to draw 2-2 to keep their title hopes alive, and the side appeared to relish playing in the stadium without the intimidating atmosphere usually created by Ingwe fans.

Asked if the absence of fans affected the game’s outcome, Zico was quick to dismiss the effect, claiming that “even Barcelona loses occasionally” when backed by a large crowd at Camp Nou.

“Do the fans play the match?” an evasive Zico rhetorically asked. "I have never seen fans pushing players to play well. The players push themselves,” he added.

“Even Barcelona lost at the Camp Nou when backed by a crowd of 90-100,000 spectators. In football, it is all down to the 11 vs 11 players facing each other on the pitch. As simple as that.

“Whether the fans are there or not, the outcome is not affected.”

The Bankers will face a tough challenge ahead when they face Tusker on Wednesday afternoon at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.

Although they are still contesting for the title, KCB find themselves seven points adrift of leaders Gor Mahia with seven matches to go.