Mashemeji battle moves to Afraha: Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards renew rivalry in Super Cup showdown

AFC LEOPARDS VS GOR MAHIA FC Gor Mahia FC"s Karim Nzigiyimana (right) control ball from Vincent Oburu of AFC Leopards during KPL match at Nyayo National Stadium on Aug 27, 2017. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Rivals have opportunity to lay down early marker ahead of new KPL season next weekend.

Local fans could not have hoped for a better season curtain-raiser than today’s Super Cup fixture between Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru.

A derby at the beginning of the season is a rare occurrence and after being starved of competitive football for more than a month, fans will be looking forward to an exciting Mashemeji derby.

The match has been overshadowed by the withdrawal of shirt sponsors, SportPesa, for both teams.

Both coaches have expressed concern over SportPesa’s withdrawal.

Gor Mahia coach Dylen Kerr speaking ahead of  today’s derby said: ”Playing in a derby is a big occasion and I look forward to this one.

“However, the fact that we lost our shirt sponsorship is a big deal and likely to affect the players. Running a club like Gor Mahia is an expensive affair and we hope this issue is sorted out one way or another.”

The Englishman who helped Gor Mahia win their 16th title last season believes he has a solid squad that will be difficult to break down.

“We lost just two players which means we have a bulk of our first team in place. Though everyone will be coming at us, it will be difficult to break us down,” he said.

His AFC Leopards counterpart Robert Matano, while insisting that he wants to win the Super Cup for the first time said financial problems could derail his season.

“Overall, we want to do better than last year and that includes winning the Super Cup. But it is a fact that our players need motivation and that means money,” he said amid reports that a section of players had refused to train due to outstanding dues.

The match is a curtain-raiser for the KPL league kick off and both teams will also use it to prepare for their respective continental fixtures.

Both teams will also be eager to field their new signings ahead of the KPL season which starts next weekend.

Former Tusker midfielder Humphrey Mieno will be expected to bring creativity in Gor Mahia’s midfield and create chances for Meddie Kagere and Jacques Tuyisenge upfront.

Leopards on the other hand will be hoping Ezekiel ‘Alcatel’ Odera is now fully recharged to bring down his former side while another former Gor player Collins ‘Gattuso’ Okoth will bring much needed stability in midfield.

At the same time, AFC Leopards received a major boost on Friday afternoon when Nairobi Senator Johnstone Sakaja donated Sh1.6m to the team.

The Senator who met the players in his office also said that he has identified a shirt sponsor for the team and it will be unveiled soon.

Sakaja said the money will be used to clear all outstanding debts accrued from last year.

“I have taken note of the challenges facing the team and also learned that there were some pending payments which must now be cleared and make the players comfortable,” Sakaja said.