AFC Leopards sweats over venue ahead of Sunday’s Mashemeji derby

Gor Mahia and AFC players in a past match/FILE

The much anticipated Mashemeji derby between AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia is likely to be played at Nyayo Stadium, with Kasarani Stadium not ready to host the fixture.

However, Nyayo, which is almost done, also harbors a risk with debris laying around the stadium following the renovations that have been ongoing for the last two years.

The rescheduled high-risk match was initially slated for November 24 last year but couldn’t kick off due to a lack of suitable venue.

The fixture has previously seen the 30,000-seater stadium Nyayo national stadium fill to the rafters, followed by running battles between irate fans allegedly triggered by poor officiating or misunderstanding between KO’gallo and Ingwe fans.

According to fixtures released by the Football Kenya Federations Leagues and Competitions department, the match is set for Kasarani Stadium on Sunday, February 2, 2025.

However, things on the ground are different, with the canopy at Kasarani being mounted, and will it not be done by Sunday.

According to hosts AFC Leopards, their management is in talks with the Sports Stadia Management Board to revert the match to Nyayo.

AFC Leopards chairman Dan Shikanda, while speaking to Nation in an interview on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, expressed his frustration over the lack of an appropriate venue but insisted that playing at unsuitable grounds is not an option.

"We may not play at Kasarani, and I can’t accept that the fixture be staged at Dandora or Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos because these venues cannot stage such a big fixture," Shikanda said.

Shikanda’s states the 60,000-seater Kasarani Stadium would have been the ideal choice but remains under renovation, rendering it unfit for the derby.

Nyayo Stadium is also unavailable as it is subject to approval by the CHAN Local Organizing Committee.

“How would you move the canopy at Kasarani, which is a construction site? Let FKF plan so that we can play in Tanzania or Uganda, where Harambee Stars staged their matches,” added Shikanda.

While the clubs and federation are sweating to find a venue, both sides are in camp doing final touches ahead of the massive duel.

New Gor Mahia tactician Sinisa Mihic and his Leopards counterpart Fred Ambani will both be in charge of the derby for the first time, with three points, pride, and bragging rights at stake.

KO’gallo who completed a double over Ingwe last season, have dominated the fixture in the last nine years, losing only once.

After both sides have played 21 matches, Gor are currently at position three with 36 points, while Ingwe are fifth with 34 points.