Who will have last laugh at Mashemeji derby?

AFC Leopards Washington Munene and Benson Omalla of Gor Mahia during their Football Kenya Federation Premier League match on May 14, 2023 at Nyayo National Stadium. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

When Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards emerge from the Kasarani Stadium tunnel for the 94th Mashemeji derby this afternoon, football enthusiasts will no doubt expect a dogfight.

Football Kenya Premier League (FKFPL) broadcast partners Azam TV will begin their coverage of the league with the today's match at 4pm. It shall air live on Azam Sports 3 HD.

The Tanzania media outfit is in a seven-year Sh 1.3 billion deal with FKF signed on August 31.

Yesterday, AFC Leopards coach Tom Juma and his Gor Mahia counterpart Johnathan McKinstry vowed to rally their charges to an all-out war on the pitch.

Coach Juma said: "At AFC Leopards, there are no easy games. All matches are tough. All teams step on the pitch with the same mentality to try and beat us. With Gor Mahia, our big rival and with a better squad, of course, we are ready for the challenge. It's not an easy game. We will do our best and try to win this game. Hopefully, we will give our fans victory for the first time. We ask fans to turn up in big numbers, just like last match and give the boys support."

Leopards get down to the derby as underdogs as they strive for their first win this season. They lie 15th on the log with four points.

"We will approach this game the same way we approached the other matches. And hopefully have a good evening. We have tried to rectify some of our mistakes we made in previous matches. We approach matches differently depending on the opponents.

"We will play as we normally do. We can't say this and this will happen. Every coach is under pressure as I am. But our passionate fans are waiting for a win and we can't let them down," Juma added.

Leopards Secretary General Gilbert Andugu said they have increased terrace charges from Sh200 to Sh300, which has elicited protest in social media.

On his part, Gor head coach Johnathan McKinstry said they were ready for the duel.

"My team has worked hard. We will try to make a mark. I am prepared for this. It's a great moment for the team to show where we are as a team, where they are as individuals. The Mashemeji derby will not be easy.

"If you look at the last five games and the corresponding games, we have taken nine points," said McKinstry.

In three attempts, McKinstry – the Northern Irish coach who has guided Uganda and Sierra Leone national teams –has not yet won against Leopards since he took over the reins at Gor. Leopards won 2-1 in their last match.

“We also know that our opponents have had a poor start to the league this season, and for them, they know that getting a result in the derby can boost them and move them onto another level," McKinstry said.

Gor, the 20-time Premier League champions, and Posta Rangers are the only two teams that have not lost any match this season.

“It is another game in the league. We have had a good start to the season, and we are still unbeaten.

“There are still two teams in the league that do that, but form when it comes to these derby games is a little bit irrelevant.

“Neither team needs any motivation. Everyone knows there will be a big crowd, hopefully," he said.

Gor have won 31 matches while Leopards have won 28 matches and 34 draws between the teams.