Who will blink first at Afraha?

[PHOTO: COURTESY]

Gor Mahia's second-half lethargic display in Machakos on Sunday has given head coach Dylan Kerr some sleepless nights ahead of today's derby dubbed the 'Hull City Challenge' against AFC Leopards at Afraha Stadium, Nakuru.

The Briton fumed after Clifford Alwanga came off the bench to score a late equaliser and deny Gor a chance to go six points clear at the top of the Kenyan Premier League.

Alwanga drew level after Gor substitute Samuel Onyango lost possession.

And after the final whistle, an angry Kerr confronted the former Ulinzi Stars man, who had squandered a chance to kill off the game before Alwanga scored the equaliser.

Kerr then had a heated exchange with a fan who accused goalkeeper Shaban Odhoji of conceding 'easy' goals.

Kerr's reaction showed how disappointed he was with the below-par performance by his team ahead of today's derby.

This is no ordinary derby; it has a lot to offer. There are the obvious bragging rights but there is also the chance to play English second-tier side Hull City in an international friendly match at Kasarani on May 13.

"We cannot continue playing like this. We conceded both goals from mistakes. We work on these things in training, but fail to replicate them in a game situation," said Kerr.

"The attitude and fitness is superb, but unfortunately, we don't keep the ball long enough.

"We came from a goal down due to a mistake after a wall of four players just split. In the second goal, we just gave the ball away and our so called 'good' players cannot keep the ball. No, that is not good enough for me.

"We have the quality, but we are not using it well. Mathare just bulldozed and bombarded us with pressure."

Asked if the events in Machakos would change his plans for the derby and Sunday's CAF Confederations Cup Group D opening match against Rwandese side Rayon Sports in Kigali, Kerr said, "AFC Leopards are not in their best form at the moment, but in a derby, it's a do or die affair."

Just like Gor, AFC Leopards were frustrated to a 2-2 draw by newcomers Vihiga United at the weekend as Argentine Rodolfo Zapata made his KPL debut.

Leopards go into today's match having lost three of their last meetings against Gor.

"They fought like a real Leopard against Vihiga and I expect them to do the same in the derby," said Zapata.