Gor Mahia's Austin Odhiambo (left) and AFC Leopard's Victor Omuna
All roads are today expected to lead to the refurbished Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi for the Football Kenya Federation Premier League first leg match between AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia.
The highly anticipated Mashemeji derby, postponed twice due to lack of a suitable venue, kicks off at 4pm and will mark the 96th time the old foes of Kenyan football are meeting in a league match, according to FKF.
Leopards are the home team. Gor will host the reverse fixture at the same venue this day next week.
Gor Mahia fans in song and dance next to the Tom Mboya Statue along Moi Avenue, Nairobi ahead of their Mashemeji derby clash against their eternal rivals AFC Leopards at Nyayo Stadium on May 7, 2017. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
The first leg was initially scheduled for November 23 but was postponed as both Nyayo and Moi International Sports Centre (MISC) Kasarani that are best suited to host this high risk fixture were closed for renovations.
Rescheduled for March 1, the match was again postponed for the same reason.
Proposals to play the fixture behind closed doors were vehemently opposed by both sets of passionate fans.
With Nyayo having reopened its doors on March 23 for the 2026 World Cup qualifier between Kenya and Gabon, the government allowed the two Gor-AFC fixtures to be played there on two consecutively weekends.
However, it came with a stern warning that no property should be damaged or there will be dire consequences.
The fixture between these two sides has often experienced crowd trouble and property destruction.
The government is restricting the use of the stadium since it is one of the venues earmarked for the delayed 2024 African Nations Championship (Chan) in August 2 to 30.
Kenya will co-host the tournament with Uganda and Tanzania.
“If a seat is destroyed here at Nyayo those two teams will not play here again,” Nicholas Musonye, the chairman of the 2024 Chan and 2027 Africa Cup of Nations Local Organising Committee warned on Tuesday.
An AFC Leopards fan poses holding a banner emblazoned with the club colours and badge ahead of their Mashemeji derby clash against their eternal rivals Gor Mahia at Nyayo Stadium on May 7, 2017. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Both Leopards and Gor have called on their supporters not to cause chaos during the derby. “I want to urge all the fans to maintain peace before and after the game because football brings us together,” said Gor captain Philemon Otieno in a pre-match press conference at Nyayo on Friday.
His opposite number Clifton Miheso said: “Fans are supposed to come and enjoy the game not to fight, so I would like to urge them to come in large numbers but we enjoy the game respectfully.”
Both Gor and Leopards are exuded confidence. Gor have secured 33 league wins while Leopards have won 28 times, with the remaining 34 matches ending in draws.
Gor have had the upper hand in their last 10 meetings, claiming six wins against Leopards one with three draws.
Ingwe's last victory over K’Ogalo was on May 14, 2023 when they triumphed 2-1.
Last season, Gor won both legs -- 2-0 and 1-0. Miheso has said that he doesn’t expect a repeat of the same since they now have a stronger squad and have prepared adequately.
“If you compare the squad right now and last season, you find that we have really grown as a team and most of the players have really gained experience. We also have young players who have come through like Madada (Kelly) and “Aguero” (Victor Otieno). Everyone is motivated for this match,” said Miheso, who has experienced the derby rivalry from both sides, having played for Leopards and Gor.
A Gor Mahia fan cheers his team during the Mashemeji Derby at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on March 8, 2020. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |
Gor coach Sinisa Mihic and his Leopards counterpart will be featuring in their first Mashemeji derby, at least as a man in charge of the bench in case of the Ingwe tactician.
In fact, having not lost in the derby when he played for Leopards as a striker between 1997 and 2001, Ambani has made it clear to his players that losing today is not an option.
“I have informed them (Leopards’ players) that I have played the derby before and I never lost to Gor. So if I never lost as a player, I cannot lose as a coach,” said Ambani.
Acknowledging that his attack has struggled due to injuries, the former Kenya international said they have worked on that area of play and he expects an improvement today.
Only one player, whom he did not mention, was a serious doubt for the match due to injury.
Mihic, who joined Gor on February 3, said he was not under pressure and backed K’Ogalo to extend their dominance over Ingwe.
“My team runs very well. I am very happy and inside that running we have a strategy on what we will do. We already know how we want to be dangerous so we will do it,” said Mihic.
Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards fans chant on the streets of Nairobi ahead of a past Mashemeji Derby match. PHOTO | FILE |
The Croatian revealed talisman Austin Odhiambo was doubtful for the match due to a foot injury.
“I expect a tough game considering AFC Leopards are doing quite well at the moment. It is a big game and we cannot underrate them. We have to give a good fight come Sunday. As players we will do our best to emerge winners,” said Odhiambo
Gor lie third on the table with 42 points while Leopards are fifth with 36 points.
Both Ingwe and K’Ogalo are unbeaten in their last eight league matches.
Who will blink first?
Online ticket sales opened on Wednesday retailing at Sh5,000 VVIP, Sh1,000 VIP and Sh300 terraces .
