NSL match canceled after ambulance dispute between SamWest and SS Assad

The much-anticipated National Super League (NSL) match between SamWest Blackboots FC and SS Assad at Vapor Stadium, Ngong, was on Sunday thrown into disarray due to a dispute over SamWest's compliance with league regulations.

The controversy stemmed from SamWest’s failure to provide essential ambulance equipment, a requirement for hosting the game. According to NSL guidelines, the home team is responsible for ensuring proper medical support before the match begins.

However, on this occasion, SamWest’s ambulance lacked key equipment, prompting Match Commissioner Michael Mwangi to intervene. He granted the hosts a 45-minute grace period to meet the requirements.

SamWest scrambled to resolve the issue as tension mounted, but the fully equipped ambulance arrived 51 minutes later—six minutes past the commissioner’s deadline.

SS Assad CEO, Saidi Vinji, stated that the clock started ticking at 2:15 PM, the agreed kickoff time, but the ambulance only entered the field at 3:06 PM.

"The first problem was that not all necessary equipment was available. Despite being given additional time, the ambulance wasn’t on the field as it had gone to retrieve the missing equipment. Most importantly, it arrived late, violating the rules. We couldn’t continue with the match as the safety of the players is paramount," Vinji said.

SS Assad refused to proceed with the match, citing SamWest’s failure to meet pre-match medical requirements within the allowed time frame. SamWest Blackboots FC team manager, Isaac Mwaura, argued that SS Assad’s decision was unreasonable.

"After they complained about the first ambulance lacking some equipment, we called another, fully equipped ambulance, while sending the original one to fetch the missing gear. The second ambulance arrived on time but was delayed at the main gate because a car blocked the entrance. When SS Assad was asked to inspect the ambulance at the gate, they refused. We now await the Match Commissioner’s report to the federation and the final decision," Mwaura explained.

The match was officially cancelled, and the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) will now determine the fixture’s fate based on the Match Commissioner’s report.

The FKF – NSL 2024/2025 Matchday Guidelines list the following required ambulance equipment:

• Analgesics (Orals & Injections)
• Suction machines
• Automated External Defibrillators (AED)
• Patient Monitors
• Oxygen (Minimum 2)
• Splints (Rigid & Formable)
• Two spine boards with headlocks and cervical collars
• Two to four qualified medics