Who did it better? Gor Mahia and Ingwe fans breathe life into Nairobi [PHOTOS]

Gor Mahia Boniface Omondi(right) battle for ball possession against Collins Shichenje of AFC Leopards during their KPL Derby at KAsarani Stadium on Sunday 08/03/2020. Gor won 1-0.[Boniface Okendo,Standard]

Status quo remained after perennial Kenyan champions Gor Mahia silenced “noisy neighbors” AFC Leopards in an epic ‘Mashemeji Derby’ encounter staged at the Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi.

K’Ogalo stung Ingwe 1-0 courtesy of Boniface Omondi's 27th-minute strike  to seal their dominance in the KPL table standings.

However, K’Ogalo held on to win the match, extending their dominance in the derby, Ingwe stole the show when it came to entertainment.

Just hours before kickoff, K’Ogalo and Ingwe supporters gathered and crowded the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD), before proceeding to witness the action at the stadium.

A section of AFC Leopards supporter sing near Kencom bus stop on Sunday,March 08 before their team played with GorMahia in their match dabbed Mashemeji derby at the Kasarani stadium. [Collins Kweyu,Standard]

After 90 minutes, both teams had something to be proud of despite Ingwe lagging 14 points behind the KPL league leaders.

But who did it better?

As is football tradition, derbies are always characterised by encounters which carry rich histories that usually identify with fans of opposing clubs.

Because of its dominance, the Mashemeji Derby draws the attention of the Kenyan political class, who often take time of their busy schedules to attend the match.

ODM leader Raila Odinga and Musalia Mudavadi follow action between AFC Leopards SC and Gor Mahia FC during their Kenyan Premier League match dubbed Mashemeji Derby at Kasarani stadium in Nairobi on March 08, 2020. Photo[Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Specifically, derby matches are some of the most anticipated KPL fixtures of the season, mainly due to the ever-growing fan base.

President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga follow action between AFC Leopards SC and Gor Mahia FC during their Kenyan Premier League match dubbed Mashemeji Derby at Kasarani stadium in Nairobi on March 08, 2020. Photo[Stafford Ondego, Standard]

All the same, the Mashemeji Derby normally begins in the CBD where fans commemorate their dominance before they head to the stadium.

A section of GorMahia supporters sing along City hall way on Sunday,March 08 before their team played with AFC Leopards in a match dabbed Mashemeji derby at the Kasarani stadium. [Collins Kweyu]

Yesterday, as Gor Mahia fans seemed to dominate the streets of Nairobi, Ingwe fans, on the other hand, were not left behind.

Ingwe fans were full of energy and were optimistic, believing they possessed the capabilities to slay K’Ogalo.

K’Ogalo fans led by Jaro Soja camped at the Tom Mboya statue along Moi Avenue for the pre-match celebrations as Ingwe fans sang near KenCom bus stop.

An AFC Leopards supporter sing near Kencom bus stop on Sunday,March 08 before their team played with GorMahia in their match dabbed Mashemeji derby at the Kasarani stadium. [Collins Kweyu]

You could say, the celebrations from Gor Mahia and Ingwe fans brought life into Nairobi

From the looks of things, AFC Leopards fans seemed to have passed the same energy to their players whom were evidently the better side - missing a couple of good goal-scoring chances.

However, the Mashemeji Derby is never fruitful without little encounter between fans from opposing teams.

A section of AFC Leopards and GorMahia supporters in a brief encounter at Kencom bus stop on Sunday,March 08 before the two teams played in their match dabbed Mashemeji derby at the Kasarani stadium. [Collins Kweyu]

Gor Mahia walked away with bragging rights, having now beaten AFC Leopards 29 times in the league. With the win, the league champions stretch their lead at the top of the table to 54 points from 23 games.

AFC Leopards remain sixth with 40 points, having played the same number of games. They are yet to crack a winning formula against K'Ogalo in eight league meetings. ?