NAIROBI, Kenya, September 28- Football Kenya Federation (FKF) will petition the removal from office of Cecafa secretary general Nicholas Musonye over his stand on the country’s position regarding the Senior Challenge Cup to be held in Uganda.
In a press briefing on Friday, the federation took issue with Musonye over his remarks concerning Harambee Stars head coach Henri Michel who earlier this week reinforced its stand to skip the regional tournament for the Africa Nations Championships (CHAN) qualifier against Burundi.
“In an emergency committee meeting, we noted that its totally unacceptable for Musonye to direct personal attacks on the national team coach whom we have established did not utter in actual sense the words attributed to him.
“We passed the resolution that as senior members of Cecafa, we cannot cordon the continued outbursts and attacks from him, hence we will recommend to the executive committee to have him replaced,” said acting vice chairman Robert Asembo.
In a quick rejoinder, Musonye dared FKF and its president Sam Nyamweya to press on with their efforts to have him relinquish his post saying such a scheme will only serve to embarrass the Kenyan administrators.
“Nyamweya has attempted to remove from office for ages and his attempt to have the Cecafa brought to Kenya failed even at CAF. His one vote is of no consequence so it will only end up in shaming him,” the Cecafa secretary general charged.
Musonye had on Thursday accused FKF chairman Sam Nyamweya of sabotaging the tournament claiming his actions were bent on creating confusion in the regional body which were detrimental to the success of the sport within the member states.
“We have held two successful tournaments in Tanzania without any noise, football is not played in a disorganised manner and there must be order and discipline.
“Any elements of sabotage, incitement and indiscipline in Cecafa will not be tolerated, those who want to do so have no room as long as I’m in charge,” he charged during a press briefing at the secretariat offices.
The governing body clarified that they were ready to play in the championships set for November but only if the clash of dates with the CHAN fixture is resolved.
“We have no personal issue with Cecafa or its members, we are strongly in it as founding members and shall maintain the hosting of its headquarters.
“If Musonye was a competent official, he should have been familiar with these fixtures, let him sort this issue with CAF and we will play,” expressed Nyamweya.
The wrangling between the two bodies arose after Uganda was granted the hosting rights of this years’ edition at the expense of Kenya who contested the decision and even sought the intervention of the Confederation of African Football but ceded ground a fortnight ago.
However, remarks by Michel on the planned preference of the CHAN qualification tie renewed the rivalry that will bring itself out at the next congress meeting to be held during the tournament where Kenya is expected to present its case against Musonye for consideration by the 12 members.
Eight countries have so far confirmed participation in the event including hosts Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia and South Sudan.
The remaining contestants who are Eritrea, Sudan and Burundi who play Kenya in the December 1 qualifier are expected to submit their entries before the October 8 deadline.
