The match was stopped for almost a quarter an hour as home fans protested for what they termed as a dubious penalty

AFC Leopards v Ulinzi Stars was called off on Saturday following crowd trouble at Mumias Complex.

The league match was stopped in the 80th minute for almost a quarter an hour as the home fans protested for what they termed as a dubious penalty.

It was however, a correct decision by center referee Andrew Juma, who penalized defender Cresten Mwanzo for fouling Churchil Muloma in the eighteen yard box.

The latter profusely protested the decision and was cautioned, with the fans joining in protest. Later, Eugine Ambulwa was captured by the cameras kicking Ulinzi Stars skipper Geoffrey Kokoyo, a move which might have him banned for a couple of games.

The match started on a high note with the soldiers undisputed favorites following their best record against Ingwe. The soldiers started the match well and pushed the ball forward, with Robert Matano’s charges coming close in the 22nd minute, as Mark Bikokwa failed to connect Omar Mbongi’s corner with the goal at his mercy.

Coach Ivan Minnaert was forced to bring off Andrew Diego for Lamine Diallo after the latter seemed off the game, a move which at least paid off for Ingwe as the side’s confidence grew. In the 36th minute, Diallo almost turned the ball into his own net, trying to head out a free-kick.

It was 0-0 at half time, with AFC Leopards technical bench knowing it was lucky not to have gone down in the first half.

In the second half, both sides increased the intensity of the game despite unfavorable weather condition, and it was Leopards, who went ahead in the 49th minute courtesy of Kepha Aswani, who scored from the penalty spot after Bernard Ongoma had been fouled in the danger zone by Omar Mbongi.

Four minutes later, a AFC Leopards player handled the ball inside the eighteen yard box, andJohn Makwatta rose to the occasion to score his fifth of the season. Ball control became difficult for both teams, with the ground becoming slippery following the heavy rains.

It was seemingly a good condition for Ulinzi Stars, who launched long balls forward, a move that paid off in the 18th minute, as Mwanzo committed a foul in the box, to leave the referee with no option but award a penalty.

However, AFC Leopards fans could not allow the penalty to be taken, and despite all the sides willing to proceed, the crowd made it hard as the match was called off.