Kenneth Muguna has defended his goal celebration against former club Gor Mahia.
On Saturday 3 February, in a match that halted Gor Mahia's unbeaten streak in the FKF Premier League with a decisive 3-1 victory, Kenya Police FC midfielder Kenneth Muguna found himself at the center of controversy.
Playing against his former team at Police Sacco Stadium, Muguna's celebration after scoring a goal sparked widespread criticism among Gor Mahia fans, who saw it as a betrayal from their former captain.
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The game itself was a spectacle of former Gor Mahia talent, with Tito Okello, another ex-Gor player, scoring twice, assisted on both occasions by former teammates Muguna and Francis Kahata.
However, their celebrations, particularly Muguna's, became a focal point of discussion among fans and critics alike.
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Addressing the criticism, Muguna opened up about the circumstances that led to his reaction.
"How they received me in that match, even before I scored, there were a lot of abuses from fans. That's what made me do what I did, and I don't regret it because disrespect goes with disrespect," Muguna explained in an interview with Turf Talk.
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Muguna's tenure with Gor Mahia was nothing short of remarkable, highlighted by his Most Valuable Player (MVP) award win in 2016 with Western Stima and aiding Gor to league titles in 2017 and 2018.
Despite his illustrious history with the club, the midfielder felt undervalued.
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"They have to understand that I did a lot for the team, and they should respect me as their former captain. But if you look at that match, they didn't," he added.
The tradition of not celebrating goals against former clubs is a well-established act of respect in football, acknowledging past allegiances and contributions.
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Yet, Muguna chose to deviate, expressing his frustrations and feelings of disrespect through a bold celebration.
This act has sparked conversations about the complexities of player loyalty and fan expectations in the modern game.
Muguna's journey has seen him return to Gor Mahia after a stint with KF Tirana in Albania showcasing the club's faith in his abilities.
However, it was the lucrative offer from Kenya Police FC via Tanzanian outfit Azam FC that eventually swayed him, a move that has proven contentious among the Gor Mahia faithful.
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