The final of the 2021 Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Cup pitting Gor Mahia and their sworn rivals AFC Leopards will be played at Ruaraka Grounds due to the unavailability of both Nyayo National Stadium and Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on July 4, 2021.This is despite calls by AFC Leopards coach Patrick Aussems to the Cup organizers to get a decent venue for the final, ‘a real football stadium and not just a ground’.Due to the unavailability of Kasarani and Nyayo, the Cup games were played at Ruaraka, Utalii Grounds, and Thika Stadium from the Round of 32.After five rounds of action, we are here for the final, and it had to be the #MashemejiDerbyKES 2 Million in prize money, as well as a chance to take part in the CAF Confederations Cup is at stake.Who takes it home?#FKFBetwayCup pic.twitter.com/An8ideiIfi— FKF Betway Cup (@FKFCup) June 15, 2021 While Moi International Sports Center Kasarani is currently hosting the Kenya Olympics team, utilizing both the main stadium and the Annex, the government has been reluctant to reopen the Nyayo National Stadium is currently being utilized for the Barthes Cup. Both AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia had to go the long way to get to the final, needing post-match penalties to edge out Equity FC and Bidco United respectively, in the semifinals.The winner of the Cup will earn the chance to represent the country in the 2021/22 CAF Confederations Cup, as well as a Ksh.2 Million cash prize.The semifinal losers Bidco United and Equity FC will square it out for third place at the same venue and will act as a curtain-raiser to the Mashemeji Derby.Could you please allow for the Mashemeji Derby to be played at Nyayo stadium (Behind closed doors) Madam Ambassador 🙏. It’s only one game 😒.We need quality football displayed to the world. Also look at the number of injuries these players are getting at Ruaraka and Utalii!— Greg Mulemi (@Mulemig) June 26, 2021 However, the participation of either of these two teams in the continental showpiece hangs in the balance following CAF’s directive that “clubs who are participating in CAF Men’s and Women’s Interclubs Competitions 2021/22 season (Licensees) must ensure that they do not have any open cases of overdue payables”With the directive from CAF, AFC Leopards are in the spotlight for failing to pay Andre Casa Mbungo, Marko Vasiljevic, and Vincent Habamaro their dues while Gor Mahia are in trouble for failing to honour their contractual agreements with Ugandan Shafik Batambuze and Tanzanian winger Dickson Ambundo.
