Mashemeji Derby: Confusion Galore As Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards Give Contrasting Venues

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• Kenya’s biggest match thrown into confusion as both clubs give different venues for the highly-anticipated clash
• Gor Mahia have stated that the match will be held in Kisumu while AFC Leopards fan group maintain that the match will be played at Nyayo Stadium
• K’Ogalo can’t play matches in Nairobi after they were banned after fan trouble and hooliganism was witnessed in a previous Premier League game

The Mashemeji derby that is set to be played this weekend has been thrown into confusion. The organisers of the match have issued contradicting information on where Kenya’s largest game will be played from.

The match pits Gor Mahia against AFC Leopards which are arguably, Kenya’s most successful clubs. Gor Mahia are the hosts for the weekend fixture and have stated that the match will be played at the newly constructed Kenyatta Stadium in Kisumu.

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AFC Leopards fan group has however contradicted the match venue, stating that the game will be played at the Nyayo National Stadium.

Of interest is that Gor Mahia have been banned from using the country’s top stadia in Kasarani and Nyayo Stadium. The record-time Kenyan champions were banned after violence marred their Premier League match against Vihiga Bullets.

Gor Mahia’s Secretary-General Sam Ochola mentioned to the Club’s website that the club settled on the 30,000 seater stadium because of the fanatical support it enjoys in the Lakeside city.

As the club’s top brass, we have reached a decision that we will host AFC Leopards in Kisumu. The club is currently serving a ban on hosting matches in Nairobi, and since this is the biggest game of the season, we have brought it to Kisumu, where the club enjoys support so that they can also feel part of the team. We also hope to cash in on a huge turnout.

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Linda Oguttu, the head of the FKF Caretaker Committee secretariat, has mentioned in a tweet that the game is slated for Kisumu.

Leopards have not won this fixture in over six years

Ingwe have not beaten Gor Mahia since February 2016 and will be walking into the match looking to break the jinx. Leopards are enjoying a good run of form under Belgian coach Patrick Aussems. They beat KCB 2-1 in their last match.

Leopards have only lost one game in their last 13 games. K’ogalo meanwhile, are under German head coach Andreas Spier, have failed in their pursuit to reclaim the Kenya Premier League trophy.

Gor Mahia are currently fifth on the log with 46 points, 10 points off League leaders Kakamega Homeboyz. Ingwe are a further back in 10th with 38 points.

Nairobi marathon an issue for Gor Mahia

Even if Gor Mahia gets permission to use Nyayo National Stadium, there will still be the issue of the same venue being used to host the inaugural Nairobi City Marathon.

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Sports Brief had earlier reported how Nairobi will play host to the biggest-ever marathon on African soil.

Nyayo Stadium will be used as the start and endpoints for the road race that is set to attract a host of top names.