Nzoia Sugar head coach Bernard Mwalala at a past match. [PHOTO/futaa.com]
Nzoia Sugar head coach Bernard Mwalala has blamed AFC Leopards for using unorthodox means to distabilise his side in what he says resulted to Nzoia's loss in the match staged at the Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos on Saturday.
In a post-match interview after the game, Mwalala said that Leopards used harassment and intimidation before and during the game and that this contributed heavily to their loss.
Mwalala said that his players were denied a place to warm up after Leopards players encroached the side of the bench designated for them.
"What I witnessed yesterday are things that used to happen in 1990s and they have no place in modern football at all. Leopards decided to make it difficult for us even before kick off. They decided to warm up at the side of the pitch designated for the away team," he said.
"Fans harassed us as we entered the stadium, our banners were torched and our fans were chased out of the stadium during the match. All these things have no place in football in the current century and I urge the federation to ensure the ground is even for all teams," he added.
The result saw Nzoia relegated to the eighth position on four points while Leopards climbed to second on six points.
Nzoia next play Kariobangi Sharks Saturday 8 April while Ingwe host Ulinzi Stars again in Machakos.