Raila to grace Mashemji Derby as K'Ogalo battle Ingwe for bragging rights

L-R Sports CS Amina Mohamed, President Uhuru Kenyatta , First Lady Margaret Kenyatta and former PM Raila Odinga congratulates Kenya's 100 metres men’s race champion Ferdinand Omanyala during the third edition of the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold series [photo courtesy]

ODM leader and Presidential candidate Raila Odinga will be at MISC Kasarani Stadium as record Kenyan champions Gor Mahia and eternal rivals AFC Leopards clash in the 94th edition of the Mashemeji derby.

 The former Prime Minister, who is also an ardent Arsenal fan after his clear immense interest in international football, said through his Facebook page on Saturday that he was dying to watch the titanic battle between traditional Kenyan Premier League giants K’Ogalo and Ingwe.

“You all know how much I enjoy international football. But nothing inspires my passion more than watching our talented young men and women as they battle it out here at home. We must support them! I look forward to tomorrow’s match,” Raila wrote on his Facebook page.

AFC Leopards SC fans cheer their team against 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]

The rivalry between the two clubs began at Nairobi City Stadium on May 5, 1968, with Gor Mahia squeezing out a hard-fought 1-0 win. With both teams out of the 2021-2022 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.

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.