Mashemeji derby is here; await the good, the bad and the ugly!

Afraha Stadium is set to host its maiden Mashemeji derby; Kenya’s oldest football rivalry between Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards this weekend.

The much awaited derby usually brings with it the good, the bad and the ugly. Everything goes in this match, no doubt. It is obvious that events at the derby, especially how fans behave, influence the reputation of the Kenyan football brand.

The awesome, large crowds throng the stadium in pomp and colour: the green and blue hooped jerseys fill the environs; songs rent the air like a festival; fans dance along the streets and within the stadium; the AFC Leopards’ Isikuti and Gada drums compete with Vuvuzelas and costumes from the K’Ogalo end...

Fans mock each other playfully and massive celebrations follow the team that wins. It is delightful to watch these displays of passion. They are a sight to behold.

However, when it comes to the bad, some fans harass members of public, some stop traffic, while few others block vehicles with little concern.

Others ‘travel in style’ and dare God to ‘call them home’ by dangling precariously on vehicles! In the stadium, a fan that ‘strays’ into the opponent’s territory is given a dog’s beating!

Historically, AFC Leopards fans sit on the left side of the stadium and Gor’s on the right. Objects are often thrown onto the pitch to protest every decision that goes contrary to the fans’ expectations. Match officials have a difficult time in trying do their thing.

The ugly, hooliganism is the rule, while peace seems to be the exception. Hooliganism is ignited by fans’ belief in their team’s right to win and decide to disrupt the match! Police lob teargas at any sign of trouble from the Russia Stand (terraces) as fans scamper for safety!

Fans forget that a loss, win or draw are possible outcomes in any match and their duty is to cheer players and let referees officiate the matches in peace.

They keep forgetting that consequences of being unruly can be deadly as it was in October 2010 when eight fans died in a stampede at Nyayo Stadium during a derby. Football should never be a matter of life and death! .

By the way, I am singing a war song ‘ Tunaye Fiamenyo, ah Fiamenyooo! Tunaye Fear-menyo hamtamweza! ( We have Fiamenyo, ah Fiamenyoo! We have Fear-menyo , you cannot handle him!)...six games, four goals.

Gor beware!

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