Advantage Gor Mahia as K'Ogalo win high-stakes Mashemeji derby

The result took Gor Mahia's points tally to 61 as AFC Leopards remained second on 55 points.

With five matches to go, Gor Mahia, who ended a run of three league matches in April without a win or a goal, are now firmly in the driving seat to clinch this season's title.

The result saw AFC Leopards coach, Fred Ambani, take defeat in the Mashemeji derby for the first time. As a player, he won thrice with Leopards against Gor in the derby and drew once. His record against them as a coach in the fixture before Sunday read one win and two draws.

On a trivial note, the result marked the first time Gor Mahia were winning a Mashemeji derby match played on the 26th day of the month. The previous ones produced a 1-1 draw and a 1-0 win for AFC Leopards on January 26, 1969, and on May 26, 2010 respectively.

The two coaches, AFC Leopards' Ambani and Charles Akonnor of Gor Mahia, must have taken fashion advice from the same stylist as they both wore white shirts.

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Yet, it was Gor Mahia that almost whitewashed AFC Leopards in the first half but AFC Leopards goalkeeper Humphrey Katasi responded to attacks on his goal with an exhibition of shot-stopping masterclass.

Katasi had entered the pitch with his arms raised in divine supplication and God, evidently, heard his prayers, blessing with reflexes and vision that surpasses all understanding.

When Gor Mahia went too high, a 19th-minute lob by Ebenezer Adukwaw could not get over Katasi, as he acrobatically parried the ball out for a corner.

When Gor Mahia went too low, a 21st-minute grasscutter by Patrick Essombe could not get under Katasi, who dropped to the ground quickly to catch the ball. He rose to pats from the back from his relieved defenders.

Too high again and the crossbar came to his rescue in the 28th minute, with the rebound resulting in a goal mouth melee that had the ball ping-ponging off bodies before graciously dropping into Katasi's waiting hands.

In between Gor Mahia's relentless attacks, referee Peter Waweru Kamaku kept play flowing by waving on penalty appeals from the boys in green.

The second half arrived with Gor Mahia more eager for it. They were the first to leave the dressing and took their positions on the pitch as AFC Leopards players communed in a huddle.

Yet, the second half did not match the high octane action of the first half as both teams attacked sporadically.

Still, when Gor Mahia push forward, Katasi's prayers and heroics continued to keep the match goalless.

However, that changed in the 83rd minute when Gor Mahia took the lead after their captain Alpha Onyango fired a low shot past Katasi from inside the box, throwing Gor Mahia fans around the into delirium.

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The final whistle brought more wild celebrations from Gor Mahia. Gor Mahia players went on a victory lap around. Their coach, Akonnor, ran to the fans and celebrated with them while on his knees. He rose to piggyback ride from a Gor Mahia staff.

Nyayo National Stadium, hosting its 46th Mashemeji derby, was filled beyond its official capacity of 18,000. The blue-green divide in the stands was as clear as day and night. The most prominent constituencies of the two clubs' fan base -- Ultras 1964 and Ultras Green -- made their presence felt with a fascinating choreography of colour and noise.

Ultras 1964, allied to AFC Leopards, draped the balustrades with a never-ending strip of banners which read "Shienyu ni shienyu" (Yours is yours, whether good or bad), "Play like you mean it", "The show goes on", Winners don't give excuses", "Shindu muneti" (stuff the net), "Together we rise", and "Extend our glory".

Ultras Green were more extravagant. The walk-out of the players from tunnel triggered the full display of their armoury, letting off green smoke bombs and booming explosives as they unfurled and rolled up and down a tifo paying tribute the club's success and legendary players.

Not to be outdone, Ultras 1964 saved their best arsenal for the 70th minute, which they ushered in with waving of flags, red flares, and letting off of fireworks and blue smoke bombs amid light showers. Gor Mahia fans silenced their performance with chants of "jowi" and claps over their heads.

Also Read: When Leopards clawed Gor Mahia in high stakes Mashemeji derby

In the stands, business boomed for food and beverages vendor. Their industry had the stands smelling like bakeries and distelleries as fans chomped biscuits and sipped cans of beer.

At halftime, the public address system kept the fans busy momentarily. Its storey of giant speakers boomed with tunes that fans energetically danced too.

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