Moses Adagala: The strong man of Got Alila causing ripples through Kenyan football

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Moses Adagala: The strong man of Got Alila causing ripples through Kenyan football

Festus Chuma 08:00 - 11.10.2023

Moses Adagala's Muhoroni Youth FC is marred by controversies as clashes on and off the pitch raise questions about its future.

Muhoroni Youth Football Club chairman Moses Adagala's name is synonymous with controversy in Kenyan football circles. On October 9th, as the nation was still digesting the results of the Mashemeji Derby, chaotic scenes erupted at Muhoroni Stadium during the Football Kenya Federation Premier League match against KCB.

The ill-tempered clash saw tempers flare, scuffles break out, and the match ultimately abandoned in the 90th minute. The Bankers were leading 1-0, with Haniff Wesonga netting the solitary goal in the 33rd minute amidst a goal melee. However, what unfolded on that fateful day wasn not just a typical football brawl. It was a reflection of the stormy history surrounding Moses Adagala, also known as the "Bull of Awasi."

The game had taken a dark turn when a Muhoroni Youth supporter, wearing the team's colors, attacked KCB's coach Bernard Mwalala in the closing stages of the match. The tension had escalated earlier when a contentious decision by the referee regarding a tackle on Muhoroni Youth FC striker Collins Neto led to scuffles on the field, with the Muhoroni bench vehemently protesting. In a shocking twist, a man wearing a jersey marked "Omondi Guya" and sitting in the technical bench area of Muhoroni Youth physically pushed Coach Bernard Mwalala down.

Adagala was seen in the video pulling police officers, possibly instructing them not to intervene in the situation.

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) leagues and competitions committee is expected to convene to review reports from the referees and match commissioner, with video footage serving as crucial evidence during their decision-making process.

This incident adds to a list of controversies that have consistently put Moses Adagala in the spotlight.

According to the Standard April 2, 2017, Police records at Nyayo Stadium Police Post indicate that Adagala verbally assaulted Kenyan Premier League (KPL) referee Nasoor Doka during a match played on October 2, 2015, at Nyayo National Stadium.

The incident occurred after a heated KPL match between Tusker FC and Muhoroni Youth, where the Kisumu-based side won 2-3. Adagala was furious that his team had been denied a clear penalty and walked over to referee Nasoor Doka to discuss the decision, but things quickly spiraled out of control.

Muhoroni Youth player Lwamba Bebeto claimed that he was attacked by Adagala's bodyguards during a night raid after he asked for his salary. Adagala vehemently denied these allegations, but they added to the cloud of controversy that had been hanging over him.

In 2016, Adagala suspended former striker Wycliff Ochomo from the club, a decision that was later ruled against by the Independent Disciplinary and Complaints Committee (IDCC).

The ruling stated that Ochomo's suspension was irregular and in breach of the contract signed between the club and the player. Muhoroni Youth was subsequently ordered to pay Ochomo Sh112,000 in salaries owed for the months of September 2016 to December 2016, and also issue Ochomo with his release letter within the next seven days.

In May 2016, Adagala openly defied a KPL directive ordering his team to replay a match against Chemelil Sugar. He claimed that the center referee had been changed without following due process, further fueling his reputation for challenging the authorities.

When the Football Kenya Federation attempted to remove Muhoroni Youth from the KPL, Adagala did not mince words. He openly told off the federation boss Nick Mwendwa, stating that he was willing to "fight till death for the success of his club."

Veteran Andrew Mark Ongwae was another player who took Adagala to court and emerged victorious. KPL's Independent Disciplinary and Complaints Committee (IDCC) ordered Muhoroni to compensate Ongwae for wrongful dismissal, adding another chapter to Adagala's tumultuous reign.

Moses Adagala's tenure as the chairman of Muhoroni Youth FC has been marked by a series of controversies, clashes with officials, and confrontations with players and referees. While his unwavering commitment to the club is evident, it is accompanied by a trail of disputes that have tarnished the image of both the club and Kenyan football.

The recent incident at Muhoroni Stadium serves as a stark reminder of the stormy path that Adagala, the Bull of Awasi, has carved in the football landscape.

As the Football Kenya Federation Premier League continues, one can't help but wonder if there are more episodes of the Bull of Awasi's controversial reign in store for the future.

 Whether it's in the boardrooms, on the sidelines, or within the confines of the pitch, Moses Adagala's presence guarantees drama and headlines, making him a figure that Kenyan football can't easily forget. Love him or loathe him, the Bull of Awasi has left an indelible mark on the sport.

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