Kenyan football giants Gor Mahia are facing a lengthy ban from continental competition after their players attacked Africa’s top referee Lebalang Martin Mokete on Sunday during their Confederation Cup game in Lusaka.
Zambian side Napsa Stars officials are also unlikely to be spared by the disciplinary chiefs of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as they were also involved in the ugly scenes during the 2-2 draw.
Mokete is expected to write in his match report that he was assaulted by Gor Mahia players on his way to the dressing room at the end of the emotionally-charged game.
Mokete, who is from Lesotho, was decked out by the members of Zambia Police Force as Gor Mahia players chased him to explain the reasons behind the last minute penalty he awarded to Napsa Stars which saw K’Ogalo eliminated on 3-2 win in aggregate.
The referee awarded the penalty after Gor Mahia defender Charles Momanyi tackled Jimmy Mukeya, and the decision angered the visiting side, whose players protested before it was taken by Emmanuel Mayuka.
Napsa Stars are also reported to have attacked forth official Osiase William Koto on their way to dressing rooms and their actions are likely to be reported by the referee.
CAF has refused to comment on the violence after the game but says it will take action after Mokete and the match commissioner have presented their reports.
Gor Mahia coach Carlos Manuel Vaz Pinto defended his players although he was not happy with the decision that they took.
“You know I didn’t see a lot of things because of course, I understand my players were upset and frustrated because of what happened at the last minute,” Vaz Pinto told reporters after the match.
“As much as I cannot agree if our behaviour is not correct and I always say this to my players, they need to have good minds always and our behaviour is correct but I understand why they tried to talk to the referee because what happened is a lot of frustration.”
CAF in recent times revamped its disciplinary unit along with the reforms have come lengthy bans for clubs, players and fans who are involved in violent acts during continental matches.
Gor Mahia’s focus will now shift to the domestic scene where they will be looking to reclaim the Kenyan Premier League crown.
