Mashemeji Derby: Gor Mahia to play for pride against AFC Leopards

A section of GorMahia supporters led by Jaro Soja on motorbike at the TomMboya statute along Moi Avenue   on Sunday,March 08 before their team played AFC Leopards  in a  match dabbed Mashemeji derby at the Kasarani stadium.
Collins Kweyu

Bragging rights will be at stake as record Kenyan champions Gor Mahia take on AFC Leopards in what is expected to be a low-key 94th Mashemeji derby at Kasarani Stadium on Sunday.

With both teams out of the FKF Premier League title race, the two arch-rivals and most decorated clubs with a huge fan base in the country will be playing for pride.

Both teams have posted mixed results in their last few matches but Gor are joint fourth in the standings with Nairobi City Stars on 46 points while Leopards are a distant 11th with 38 points.

Gor Mahia coach Andres Spire, who will be taking charge of his first derby, acknowledged the importance of the derby but will hope to collect all three points in the encounter.

The German called on the fans to come out in large numbers, saying the team needs their support to have the edge over Ingwe whose recent form is something to worry about.

“This derby against Leopards has special importance, a tradition in Kenya where both teams are pressured by their fans to win.

“We are prepared and motivated to win this match and we hope first of all to put on a good football show that the fans who are coming will enjoy the match.,” said Spier as posted by Gor Mahia on tweeter.

K’Ogalo have dominated the past 10 derbies with Ingwe last win coming way back in March 2016 when they won the match 1-0.

It is this dominant midfielder John Macharia is looking forward to helping Gor Mahia maintain when he features in his fourth Mashemeji derby.

“The morale is high from this week’s training. I have not lost any of my three derbies have played in and I want it to stand out that when I leave Gor I will brag to have left unbeaten in Mashemeji derby," Macharia told the club's website.

“Our goal is not to disappoint the fans and we want to end the season-high by winning all our remaining six fixtures starting with Ingwe."