AFC Leopards set for another trophyless season after FKF Cup elimination

AFC Leopards will go another season without silverware after going down 1-0 to Kenya Police in a match played at Police Sacco Stadium.

Leopards were keen to better last season’s performance, where they finished third.

AFC Leopards drought

They aimed to rekindle the 2017 memories when they beat Kariobangi Sharks 2-0 under Robert Matano to win their 10th domestic cup in the final played at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, on Friday.

Leopards’ only hope of clinching a trophy and heading to continental football for the first time in seven years was dented early on in the semis. Tito Okello bagged the early lead for Kenya Police in the sixth minute.

However, the match was abandoned in the 60th minute due to an injury sustained by second assistant referee Samuel Kuria. The matter was forwarded to the FKF Leagues and Competitions Committee for a determination.

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Leagues and Competitions Committee determined that Kuria was struck by an object hurled by a fan, making it impossible for him to continue officiating and necessitating urgent medical attention.

After calm was restored, the lack of floodlights at the venue posed significant safety concerns for all players, technical staff, supporters, and other stakeholders, preventing the match from resuming.

As time passed, it became increasingly clear that resuming the match would compromise the well-being of those involved.

Using Articles 5.1 and 5.2 of the Cup regulations, the FKF Leagues and Competitions Committee decided the match shall resume from the 60th minute on Monday, May 27, 2024, at 11:00 AM, maintaining the score at the time of interruption.

AFC Leopards attend

The match was played behind closed doors at the Police Sacco Stadium. Despite reports that Leopards would skip the final minutes, they availed themselves, and the final 30 minutes produced no goals.

Kenya Police will now face KCB Football Club in the final. KCB FC booked a spot in the cup finals after winning their semi-final match against Kariobangi Sharks on Sunday, May 26, 2024, at the Police Sacco Stadium.

KCB and Kariobangi Sharks played to a 1-1 draw in regulation time, with back-to-back goals from KCB’s Derrick Otanga in the 77th minute and Kariobangi Sharks’ Fortune Omotto in the 79th minute.

The deadlock extended into extra time, and with both teams unable to find the back of the net, the game headed to penalties, where KCB emerged victorious, winning 4-2 and booking their slot in the finals.

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