AFC Leopards’ quest to end an eight-year trophy drought has come to a disappointing halt after being eliminated from the Mozzart Bet Cup by the FKF Leagues and Competitions Committee, which met on Wednesday.The decision follows the abandonment of their Round of 32 match against Mara Sugar FC, played on Saturday 8 March in Kisumu, after fans invaded the pitch during the closing stages of the game to protest a penalty decision.##NAJAVA_MECA_8789775##The controversy unfolded in the dying minutes when AFC Leopards were awarded a penalty for an alleged handball inside the area. However, after Mara Sugar players protested, the referee consulted his assistant and overturned the decision.This led to enraged AFC Leopards fans storming the pitch and confronting the referee. Police intervened to control the situation, but the match could not continue, and the matter was referred to FKF’s Leagues and Competitions Committee.Kenya yet to pay Ksh1.6 billion CHAN hosting fee to CAFThe committee has now ruled that AFC Leopards’ fans were responsible for the match’s abandonment, and, as a result, the team has been eliminated from the competition. The club was also issued a warning to address their fans’ behaviour in future matches.”The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Leagues & Competitions Committee has issued a ruling on the abandoned Mozzart Bet Cup match between Mara Sugar FC and AFC Leopards SC, which was scheduled to take place on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Mamboleo, Kisumu,” a statement posted on the federation’s website read.Where to watch Gambia vs Harambee Stars FIFA World Cup qualifier“The match was halted in the 89th minute due to AFC Leopards fans invading the pitch in protest of the referee’s decision to rescind the penalty.”Committee’s decision:-AFC Leopards SC fans were found responsible for the abandonment of the match due to unlawfully invading the pitch.-In line with Article 6.4(iv) of the Mozzart Bet Cup Regulations and Article 3.5.6 of the FKF Rules & Regulations Governing Kenyan Football, AFC Leopards will forfeit the match, and Mara Sugar FC will be awarded the victory, progressing to the next round of the competition.-AFC Leopards SC has been issued a warning concerning the misconduct of their supporters and is advised to implement measures to prevent future incidents of hooliganism.Michael Olunga revels in Benni McCarthy’s young Harambee Stars squadMara Sugar team manager, Gilbert Ledama, had previously expressed confidence that his team would be awarded the match.”If the rules are followed properly, we should be given the win. We didn’t cause the abandonment, and our fans didn’t invade the pitch. It seems like a straightforward decision to me, and we should progress to the Round of 16,” he said.Mara Sugar FC will now face Compel FC in the Mozzart Bet Cup round of 16.Victor Wanyama named in Celtic legend’s all time first 11Mozzart Bet Cup Round of 16 fixtures:Bandari FC vs Gor Mahia FCUlinzi Stars FC vs Bidco United FCCompel FC vs Mara Sugar FCDenmak FC vs Kariobangi Sharks FCKakamega Homeboyz FC vs Shabana FCKenya Police FC vs Kapenguria United FCNairobi United FC vs KCB FCMurang’a Seal FC vs Kibera Soccer FC
