Points, bragging rights at stake as Gor, Leopards clash in Mashemeji derby
Gor Mahia captain Austin Odhiambo (left) and AFC Leopards captain Victor Omune.
Gor Mahia will be eager to return to winning ways when they host their bitter rivals, AFC Leopards, in the 98th Mashemeji derby league meeting at the Nyayo National Stadium today from 4pm.
Gor Mahia suffered a shock 4-1 defeat to lowly APS Bomet in their last league match, and history backs them to bounce back with a statement victory against their eternal rivals.
This will be the third time since 2019 that Gor Mahia will be going into the derby having lost in their previous league match.
On those two previous instances, Gor responded to 1-0 losses against Nzoia Sugar and Mathare United by thrashing AFC Leopards 4-1 and 3-1 in May 2019 and October 2019, respectively.
The 4-1 win over Ingwe, in particular, was against the form book.
AFC Leopards went into that fixture on a seven-match unbeaten run in the league, their second longest such streak before a Mashemeji derby in the last six years.
In March, AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia played out a goalless draw. Both teams had come into the match with eight-match unbeaten runs.
This will be the fifth time, since 2019, that the two clubs are meeting in the derby after coming from a loss or a draw.
History suggests Gor Mahia will get a result today.
The two clubs came from 0-0 draws when they drew 1-1 on June 2.
Gor Mahia’s 2-0 win over AFC Leopards on October 7, 2023 came after both teams had drawn 1-1 in their previous match.
Gor Mahia captain Austine Odhiambo and his AFC Leopards counterpart Victor Omune are clear about what they want in this big fixture.
Centre referee Dickens Mimisa try to separate Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards players during their FKF Premier League match at Nyayo National Stadium on March 30, 2025.
Odhiambo and Omune spoke of their teams “being psyched up” and billed the contest as “a big game that will be watched by everyone”.
They also talked of owing their fans a win.
“We lost against APS Bomet. No one expected that but that is football. So this match has come at the right time, to show our fans that we are still on top of things,” Odhiambo said.
“We have not won in three matches and there is no better match to return to winning ways than the derby. We owe our fans a win,” Omune opined.
Gor Mahia’s recent loss to APS Bomet halted a seven-match unbeaten run, which included six wins.
K’Ogalo lie second on the table with 19 points from nine matches after Police leapfrogged them to the top on 20 points following their 1-0 win over struggling Kariobangi Sharks.
AFC Leopards are seventh with 14 points.
Gor have beaten Leopards 33 times with 28 losses and 36 draws in their over half-century-old rivalry.
K’Ogalo have also outscored AFC in this fixture, 91 goals against 81 conceded.
Back to the action today. The gates will open at 9am, and no tickets will be sold today.
“Tickets will be sold exclusively online,” Nicanor Arum, the Gor Mahia secretary general, had told Nation Sport on Wednesday.
Gor Mahia had made only 18,000 tickets available for sale, against Nyayo Stadium’s capacity of 22,900.
Arum said that was done to fulfill a strict requirement by Sports Kenya – managers of Nyayo Stadium – that the stadium should not be filled to capacity for the high risk fixture.
Parking for private vehicles will be charged at Sh100.
Arum gave assurances of safe and secure parking
Maxwell Otieno (right) of AFC Leopards fights for the ball with Levin Opiyo of Gor Mahia during their Football Kenya Federation Premier League match at Nyayo National Stadium on March 30, 2025.
Over 300 police officers – drawn from the regular police, Administration Police, the General Service Unit, and the traffic department – will be deployed to provide security.
They will be assisted by 100 stewards from Gor Mahia and 30 from AFC Leopards.
Food and beverage vendors will be charged a fee of Sh500 before entering the stadium with their products. However, those selling water, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages will be required to decant the liquids into plastic cups when selling them to fans.
“Selling the beverages in containers that can be used as projectiles will not be allowed. They have to sell them in less harmful containers,” Arum had said.
Fans will also be treated to entertainment by Hera Remo hit-maker Musa Jakadala and Harry Richie of the Vaida fame.
A game between Gor Mahia Queens and AFC Leopards Queens, kick-off 11.30am, will curtain raise the big fixture.
