Israel Saria
Challenge Cup quarter-final encounter between border neighbours Kenya and Uganda had a background of political row currently prevailing on disputed Lake Victoria island of Migingo.
Some Kenyan fans were chanting the slogans of claiming ownership of the island inside the Nyayo Stadium much to the disappointment of Ugandan fans.
One of the fans believed to be a Kenyan took trouble to run around the stadium while displaying a big bill board with words ‘Migingo ni yetu, Cecafa ni yetu’, meaning we own both Migingo island and the Cecafa as well.
Oblivious of the island’s political dispute, The Cranes’ Scottish coach Bobby Williamson was highly shocked when politics were mixed with sports in the region during the clash.
The coach said soccer fans should distance themselves from political differences should they need to promote soccer in the region.
He said politics would most likely limit the freedom of players’ transfers from one country to another thus affecting their professional careers.
The Scottish coach said he was highly disappointed, embarrassed and shocked to observe the incident which he said would lead to plunging of soccer in the region if efforts to curb the trend are not taken immediately.
Uganda, who have won the Challenge Cup title for a record ten times, shocked the tournament hosts Kenya with a second half goal to send them out of the title winning track.
Kenyan fans have now been reduced to mere spectators in the championship now at its semi-final stages with the final expected on Sunday at the Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi.
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