Retired Kenyan International Allan Wanga has been awarded the Kenya Premier League golden boot thanks to the Kenyan Premier League’s (KPL) Independent Disciplinary and Complaints Committee (IDCC) ruling.
The IDCC ruled the match between Ulinzi Stars and Mount Kenya United which saw Ulinzi striker Enosh Ochieng’ score a hat trick to claim the golden boot as a walkover. This ruling has had ramifications on the final 2018/19 top-flight league standings and the Golden Boot.
Subsequently, Ulinzi Stars have moved to tenth on the log with Kariobangi Sharks and KCB FC moving to eighth and ninth respectively.
Kakamega Homeboyz had earlier lodged an official complaint to IDCC arguing that there was no need for the game to be replayed and the ruling delivered on Thursday was in their favour as Ulinzi were awarded a walkover (three points and two goals).
One of Allan Wanga’s goals was however said to be an own goal. This makes Wanga share his golden boot with Sofapaka’s Umar Kasumba and Ulinzi Stars’ scoring sensation Enosh Ochieng’. The three of them tie at the top of the golden boot standings with 17 goals each.
Wanga’s goal was canceled after Ulinzi Stars had raised a complaint about Allan Wanga’s controversial goal against AFC Leopards on April 10 at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos. IDCC ruled that it was an own goal by AFC Leopards goalkeeper Jairus Adira.
The match between Mt Kenya United and Ulinzi Stars had been replayed after financially crippled Mt Kenya United failed to arrive at the match venue, Afraha Stadium, in time on May 29. Mt Kenya United players had earlier in the day refused to travel to Nakuru as they demanded their dues. They eventually hit the road but arrived a few minutes to kick-off.
Mt Kenya United’s also had kits that clashed in colour with the home team but by the time they borrowed another kit, the referees had already had enough of the drama and left. KPL eventually ordered the match to be played on June 2. In the replay, Ulinzi Stars won 4-0 with Enosh Ochieng grabbing a hat-trick thus emerging the season’s top scorer with 20 goals.
Allan Wanga had been confident he was going home with the golden boot after his last match last season. The decision to change the date of the match between Mt Kenya and Ulinzi came after the final round of fixtures in the KPL had already been played.
Wanga was exceptionally sensational last season with the 33-year-old finding the back of the net for his club 17 times. His form got the then Harambee Stars coach Sebastien Migne’s attention as he was called to the initial 30-man national team squad for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.
He was however dropped later from the squad as Migne only needed 23 players. He announced his retirement from international football soon after.
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