WILL INGWE STOP GOR? Leopards players boycott training ahead of K’Ogalo encounter today

AFC Leopards vs Gor Mahia KPL match Gor Mahia striker Meddie Kagere dribbles the ball past Emmanuel Ngama of AFC leopards uring the KPL encounter on April 12, 2015 at Nyayo Stadium. PHOTO/DENNIS OKEYO

Despite their contrasting fortunes, one thing that most people agree on is that today’s Mashemeji Derby at the Nyayo National Stadium will not be decided by form.

Champions Gor Mahia have been unstoppable since the season started.

Unbeaten so far in 23 matches, they look set to go all the way and win the trophy with their record intact, not unless, AFC Leopards spoil the party for them this afternoon.

Apart from their good run in the Kenyan Premier League, Gor Mahia also had a splendid performance at the Kagame Club Cup in Tanzania and finished runners-up after going down 2-0 to Azam.

Despite this great record, there has been anything but optimism in Gor Mahia’s camp ahead of today’s fixture. Goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch who will be playing in just his second derby admitted that their form will not count today and has warned against underrating their wounded opponents.

“It is a difficult to predict how this one will go despite the problems at AFC Leopards. They always have a way of pushing themselves when playing against Gor Mahia,” he said.

Oluoch, a former Tusker goalkeeper further confessed that he will need extra confidence going into this match. “In my first derby, the atmosphere was awesome and I had to be at my best. This one will require an extra dose of confidence.”

Leopards preparations have not been helped by what is happening in their camp as their problems keep piling up.

While Gor Mahia players are motivated, morale in Leopards camp is low with players accusing the officials for failing to live up to their promises.

The KPL leaders recently received Sh2 million from President Uhuru Kenyatta for reaching the Cecafa Kagame Cup finals and that amount was used to settle the players’ salary and allowances arrears.

Players of the financially unstable Leopards refused to train yesterday at the Railway Training Institutes and sat out over their salary arrears.

Captain Jackson Saleh said they had been promised a month’s salary ahead of the crucial match, but the officials have taken them for granted.

“It is very unfortunate that at this crucial time, the management has not fulfilled its promise. It has been a cat and mouse game since Monday. We were to get the money by latest Friday, but there is no money yet,” Saleh said.

“All players turned up at RTI grounds today (Saturday) but none of us trained as we were waiting to be paid. The players have been really demoralised.

“We have bills to pay and families to take care of. Is it time to focus on the derby or think about our family issues? In fact one of us (Laminne Diallo) has been locked out of his rental apartment. The situation is saddening.”

When contacted, AFC Secretary General Asava Kadima admitted that they owe players money but said they have faced some challenges with the bank.

“The money is there, but we have had some technicalities with the bank. I was with the players at the training ground today (Saturday) morning and explained to them the challenges we have had, but they couldn’t listen. I then went to bank and tried to convince them to release money but I was unsuccessful,” Kadima said.