Mobile Site
KENYA
NIGERIA
The Coastal region in Kenya is renowned for producing some of the most talented players in Kenya.
It is also an undisputed fact that fans in the region are some of the most passionate that can be found.
Passion is a part of the game and in many ways it makes the footballing spectacle bigger and better.
The region does not have a representative in the Kenyan Premier League this year after Congo United and Bandari were relegated in 2011, but the love for the game is still strong.
Trying to rise again
This season, there are six clubs from the region in the second tier Division one.
Bandari, Congo United, Admiral, Coast United, Magongo Rangers and Sparki Youth are all in the hunt for a place in the KPL next season.
All the clubs compete hard against each other, but at the end of the day, they will be proud to have a club from the region in the top flight.
Bandari are the big brothers of coastal football. They are lucky to possess the best players in the region and can get others from all over the country because they have the funds to spend and a good reputation.
Unfair competition
Sadly, even though they have all those attributes, they have applied unfair tactics to win their matches, especially when playing in Mombasa.
Officiating during their games is really unfair, and the desicion making shocking.
It is a known fact that a Bandari match in the region is like playing against 15 players, with all match officials behind them. In most matches, especially if they are behind, the added time allocation is usually exaggerated.
Recently, they were 3-1 down against Admiral at the 90 minute mark, but the added time was over 20 minutes, for unknown reasons. The game ended 3-3, with Bandari awarded two dubious penalties.
Bitter taste
What makes things worse, is that officials from the FKF Coast branch are part of this arrangement. Which means, where do we turn to if such things happen?
It leaves a bitter taste for fans and players, to see one team heavily favoured to get results.
At the end of the day, Bandari can't win every game.
Where is the spirit of competition?
Support the winner
We Mombasa fans will support whoever performs best and makes it to the KPL, because we want our best talents showcased all over the world.
If Bandari make it, we will be happy as will if any of the others makes it.
Favouritism though, means that our football will not grow, because the competition is unfair. Something has to be done to curb it, be it from the FKF head office, or wherever.
We need change.
The writer is the Chairman of the Mombasa football Fan Club
