Ambani, Mihic rue striker shortage in 'Mashemeji' derby draw
AFC Leopards' Maxwell Otieno (right) vies for the ball with Gor Mahia's Levin Opiyo during their Football Kenya Federation Premier League match at Nyayo National Stadium on March 30, 2025.
What you need to know:
- Gor Mahia remain third in the league standings with 43 points, while Leopards are fifth with 37 points. Kenya Police lead the league with 48 points from 25 matches.
- With the reverse fixture just days away, both teams will be hoping to sharpen their attacking edge and break the deadlock in what promises to be another thrilling installment of the Mashemeji Derby.
AFC Leopards coach Fred Ambani and his Gor Mahia counterpart Sinisa Mihic lamented their teams’ lack of prolific forwards after a goalless draw in the first leg of the ‘Mashemeji’ Derby at Nyayo National Stadium yesterday.
Leopards hosted the highly anticipated clash—the 96th meeting between the arch-rivals.
Despite the electrifying atmosphere and thousands of passionate fans in attendance, both sides squandered multiple scoring opportunities, leaving their coaches frustrated.
“Finishing is what we have to work on mostly because it is our major undoing. We had more scoring chances, but we did not utilise them,” Ambani said after the match.
Mihic pointed to the absence of a proven goal-scorer like 2023/24 Golden Boot winner Benson Omala.
“This team misses a player like Omala. A real striker who will score easily and not miss so many chances. This problem is not with me,” the Croatian tactician said.
Gor Mahia fans celebrate in the streets of Nairobi ahead of the Mashemeji Derby at Nyayo National Stadium on March 30, 2025.
Omala, who rejoined Gor during the February transfer window, is yet to feature for K’Ogalo as he awaits approval of his International Transfer Certificate.
Gor Mahia went into the match with a historical edge over their rivals. Out of their previous 95 encounters, Gor had won 33 times, while Leopards had secured 28 victories, with 34 matches ending in draws.
In their last 10 meetings before this clash, Gor had dominated with six wins, while Leopards had managed only one, with three matches ending in draws. Ingwe’s last victory over K’Ogalo came on May 14, 2023, when they triumphed 2-1.
Last season, Gor Mahia won both legs, claiming 2-0 and 1-0 victories. Ambani, however, maintained his personal unbeaten record in the derby, having never lost to Gor as a player between 1997 and 2001.
“The draw means that I have yet to lose the derby, so the record stands. It is something to be very proud of, although I came for three points in this match,” said the former Kenya international.
AFC Leopards' Ovella Ochieng (left) evades a challenge from Joseph Odhiambo of Gor Mahia during their Football Kenya Federation Premier League match at Nyayo National Stadium on March 30, 2025.
The highly anticipated fixture was marred by chaotic scenes before kickoff as police fired teargas to disperse unruly fans attempting to force their way into the stadium.
Despite efforts to restore order, some supporters still managed to sneak in without having their tickets checked.
The disorder mirrored the previous Sunday’s incidents at the same venue when Kenya hosted Gabon in a 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifier.
Inside the stadium, the atmosphere was electric, with fans donning their teams' traditional colours—blue and white for Leopards, green and white for Gor—while vuvuzelas and whistles filled the air.
Gor Mahia remain third in the league standings with 43 points, while Leopards are fifth with 37 points. Kenya Police lead the league with 48 points from 25 matches.
With the reverse fixture just days away, both teams will be hoping to sharpen their attacking edge and break the deadlock in what promises to be another thrilling installment of the Mashemeji Derby.