Mara Sugar head coach Benedict Wanjala has slammed the level of officiating in the National Super League (NSL) after his side became the latest victims of foul refereeing.The Millers’ unbeaten run in 2024 was ended on Sunday at the hands of Dimba Patriots in a second-tier fixture staged at The Wolves Den.##NAJAVA_MECA_7929531##The Sugar Men despite being the better side for the entire match, saw human errors condemn them to a 1-0 defeat which led to the former Mwatate United expert picking issues with center referee James Odour, assistants Alex Kenyani, Paul Ndiba, John Dave, and match commissioner Gordon Taro. Wanjala believes that Dimba’s goal should not have stood and their player should have been penalized for fouling Vincent Mulama before the goal, the match also saw two Mara goals ruled for offside which the youthful gaffer believes should have counted while noting that the judges of the day furthermore, denied them a clear penalty.“I have never seen something like that before, it was completely a shame to our football, with all the efforts we are making only to be outdone by some individuals. It is shambolic, to say the least,” offered Wanjala”That Dimba goal should not have stood, Mulama was fouled and when we were expecting the play to stop or a yellow card, he waved play and they scored from, I don’t understand, maybe the rules of the game have changed,” said a disheartened Wanjala who feels his side were robbed off a chance to move second on the log.CAF technical inspection delegation to visit CHAN host cities and stadiumsWanjala made his frustrations known about the match official: “I do not know how Samuel Otieno and David Owino goals were disallowed, I am curious to know how a player can run with the ball all the way, put it behind the net and be flagged for an offside,” added the award-winning coach with APS Bomet.Dimba Patriots allowed goal vs Mara and the farmer’s two disallowed goals #FootballKE #NSL2024 pic.twitter.com/5Kgcmd5TOA— Brian Odhiambo (@Odhiambo_Brian1) March 5, 2024 The tactician who has made a name for himself with his unique defensive style of play says that the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) should move with speed to curb such happenings that are first getting back in the second tier.“FKF should move with speed and make their presence felt, the NSL had started getting better but what we saw over the weekend is setting the stage for a big scandal in the league, if that happens to every team, do you think you will ever win a match away?” Asserted the 33-year-old gaffer.Despite the ordeal, the youthful expert is adamant his charges will overcome the storm and find a way to the FKF Premier League with a host of matches still to play.“We are focused on winning each game at a time and see where we will end when the season culminates but everything is pointing out to a strong finish and hopefully, we get top-flight football next season,” he concluded.Owino salivating for more success at Leopards after positive startThis is not the first time coaches and teams have hit out at the standard of officiating in the National Super League with various visiting teams raising complaints on matchday experiences that have ended up denying them valuable points.
