Under fire FIFA referee Caroline Wanjala has exonerated herself from the blame laid on her door following the penalties she dished out in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League match pitting Nairobi City Stars and Bidco United at Thika Stadium last weekend.Wanjala came under sharp criticism for awarding both teams what appeared in the clips released by City Stars to be dubious penalties in the second half, in the game that ended 2-0 in favour of Bidco.The calls saw City Stars release a statement that castigated the whistler for calls she made and further went on lodge a complain with the Caretaker Committee.CLUB STATEMENT: SUSPECT OFFICIATINGAn official statement from the club#CityStars #KPL pic.twitter.com/fXyeTkuYGE— Official Nairobi City Stars Fc (@NrbCityStars) March 8, 2022 Wanjala who made her debut in the top flight in 2013 offered her version where she said the first incident, City Stars centre back Kennedy Onyango handled in the box forcing her to point to the spot.In the second incident in which Simba wa Nairobi were presented with the opportunity to grab the equalizer from the spot, she threw her assistant for sleeping on the job. She conceded that she wasn’t better placed to capture the last man challenge that was yards outside the box unlike his assistant whom was expected to guide her to at least dish a red card to Bidco right back David Kalama and a free kick to City Stars. “I have been condemned unheard and I appreciate this opportunity to set the record straight. Regarding the first penalty, the City Stars defender handled the ball. In the second incident, a long ball was whipped to the Bidco box and it was practically impossible for me to sprint from the opposite box and have a good view of the challenge. I trusted my assistant but failed to guide me and I ended up giving the penalty, ” she said.Penalties?2 surprising calls made by Fifa referee Caroline Wanjala left us bewildered during our game against Bidco United on Sat 5th March in Thika Stadium.See for yourselves. @FKFcaretaker pic.twitter.com/DuZEgZ9umc— Official Nairobi City Stars Fc (@NrbCityStars) March 7, 2022 Despite the criticism, Wanjala who earned the FIFA badge in 2018 vowed to soldier on and petitioned City Stars and other complainants to focus on winning their matches.” I will continue discharging my duties without favouring any team. I only ask the teams that have been complaining on officiating to put more efforts in winning their matches. I have realized the those who lose matches are the ones who complain most,” she added.Football stakeholders cry foul on officiating in Kenyan leagues amid claims of match fixingHer counterpart Zachariah Ashira who has been accused of making calls in favour of Homeboyz also defended himself from the allegations and asked those with evidence to table it. Ashira has manned three Homeboyz matches against Mathare United, Kariobangi Sharks and Posta Rangers. All matches were played in Nairobi. Efforts to reach the Football Kenya Federation Caretaker Committee referee’s chairperson Titus Kasuve for a comment were futile.
