South Sudan match with Gor Mahia aborts over ‘club wrangles’

A friendly match between South Sudan and Kenyan giants Gor Mahia has been cancelled over allegations of wrangles within the inner circle of the Kenyan club.

South Sudan Football Association (SSFA) revealed on Wednesday afternoon that Bright Stars will now play another Kenyan Premier League outfit, Wazito FC, as they wrap up preparations for the AFCON qualifiers against Malawi in Khartoum.

SSFA tweeted: ‘‘The Friendly match between Bright Star and Gor Mahia has been canceled due internal problem within Gor Mahia. However, South Sudan will take on Wazito FC today to finalize its preparations before traveling to Khartoum for AFCONQ match against Malawi.’’

K’Ogalo, which Tito Okello plays for have lost five matches consecutively amid match-fixing allegations. Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier and the club secretary-general Sam Ochola revealed that there was an investigation going on.

“We’ve had allegations of match-fixing going on in the club and we are treating the issue with the seriousness that it deserves. Investigations are on and we will get to know what’s there,” Rachier told Kenyan media outlet Citizen Digital.

Ochola said: “The issue of match-fixing is gaining traction and we are concerned.

“We are investigating some players and club officials mentioned as possible contributors to these acts of match-fixing. Some of these games we have lost clearly direct us to believe it’s happening.”