AFC Leopards Disqualified from Mozzart Bet Cup After Fan Chaos in Kisumu

AFC Leopards’ journey in the 2025 Mozzart Bet Cup has come to an abrupt end under controversial circumstances. Their Round of 32 match against Mara Sugar FC at Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Kisumu was halted in the 83rd minute after fans stormed the pitch, protesting a referee’s decision to rescind a penalty awarded to Leopards. citeturn0search11

The incident began when the referee initially pointed to the spot in favour of AFC Leopards. However, after consulting with the assistant referee, the decision was overturned, sparking outrage among Leopards’ supporters. The ensuing chaos led to fans invading the pitch, forcing security personnel to intervene to protect the match officials. With the situation escalating, the match was abandoned.

Following the abandonment, the Football Kenya Federation’s Leagues and Competitions Committee reviewed the incident. Citing the rules governing the competition, the committee decided to disqualify AFC Leopards from the tournament, awarding Mara Sugar FC a walkover into the Round of 16. This decision underscores the Federation’s commitment to maintaining discipline and ensuring the safety of all participants in Kenyan football.

This premature exit is a significant setback for AFC Leopards, who had shown promise in the earlier rounds of the competition. In the Round of 64, they secured a convincing 3-1 victory over Dero FC at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Stadium in Siaya, with Governor James Orengo among the spectators. citeturn0search5

The Mozzart Bet Cup, Kenya’s premier knockout football competition, offers the winner a coveted spot in the CAF Confederation Cup. With AFC Leopards’ exit, other FKF Premier League teams like Gor Mahia, Kenya Police FC, and Ulinzi Stars will be keen to capitalize on this opportunity as the tournament progresses.

For AFC Leopards, this incident serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of discipline, both on and off the pitch. As they refocus on their league campaign, the club will need to address the issues that led to this unfortunate episode to prevent future occurrences and uphold the integrity of the sport.