And so, it is here. The country’s supposed biggest fixture where record Kenyan champions Gor Mahia are set to take on fierce rivals AFC Leopards in the 90th edition of what is supposed to be the famous Mashemeji Derby.No pomp. No colour. No nothing. Just a game that over recent years has lost its eagerness and frenzy as it veered quite quickly into just a normal, unhyped match where two teams field the requisite eleven players and business goes on as usual. How it got to where it is now is a big worry. Just how? Just when did it get here?Regardless, as they say, the show must go on. And as another said, nobody can stop reggae! And this time, unlike the second leg in the 2020/2021 season where the game was boycotted by the two clubs, hopefully nobody will.Again, those in charge are handling this Derby casually, it’s sad. https://t.co/DogpvYxZMM— Bonface Osano (@bonfaceosano) October 19, 2021 While all the hype might have been expunged from the game, two of the men leading the most famous clubs of the land, Englishman Mark Harrison for Gor and Belgian Patrick Aussems for Ingwe, face a credential test when the game is staged on Wednesday afternoon at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.##NAJAVA_MECA_5912945##To any of the loyal fans drawn from either side, a defeat in the derby is inexcusable and it drastically shoots down your appeal to the fanbase. On the pitch, though, both K’Ogalo and Ingwe get into clash on the backdrop of some relatively good form.In the two games played thus far, a lean and very young Leopards squad has surprisingly managed to beat reigning champions Tusker as well as holding last season’s runners up KCB to a draw. Doing so in both games by not even conceeding once to maintain an unbeaten streak very early on, something that only eight out of the 18 teams have managed to do including Gor.⚽| The #MashemejiDerby is here.@AFCLeopards take on @OfficialGMFC in Kasarani.Their last league encounter ended in a 0-0 Draw.Who will win it this time round?#FKFPL pic.twitter.com/4TOnNfIV6y— FKF Premier League (@Officialfkfpl) October 19, 2021 Across the divide, K’Ogalo have erased their season opening post-match penalty defeat against Tusker in the FKF Super Cup and have gone on to win two crucial games. One against last season’s runners up KCB in the league and the other in their second preliminary round CAF Confederation Cup match against Al-Ahly Merowe.Speaking ahead of the match, Harrison who will be taking charge of his first Mashemeji Derby since taking over at the club cut a very confident figure as he explained the importance of emerging victorious in such a match. Mashemeji Derby: Gor Mahia are the clear favourites, asserts Ingwe coach”Derbies all across the world mean so much to people. I’ve played in derbies as a player and I’ve coached in other derbies as well. I understand the importance of winning this game for everybody involved with the football club and the supporters. We go into the game with a positive mindset and try to get the three points if we can. We have to respect the opposition because we know it is going to be a battle,” the head coach remarked. 🟢 | Our numbers against AFC Leopards League Head to Head⚽️ | Matches played – 8️⃣9️⃣Won – 3️⃣0️⃣Lost – 2️⃣7️⃣Drew – 3️⃣2️⃣🥅 – GoalsScored – 8️⃣6️⃣Conceded – 7️⃣7️⃣#Sirkal | #Betsafe pic.twitter.com/F2JBG1zHH8— GOR MAHIA FC (@OfficialGMFC) October 19, 2021 While Harrison will be new to the fixture, his Ingwe compatriot will be overseeing his second derby in charge after losing out in his first albeit in the cup competition where Gor won on post-match penalties to seal continental football.While he would have hoped to get on the winning side this time round, the Ingwe head coach cut a wary figure as he bemoaned his lean squad that has his hands tied with limited options and a very large group of just young players. Shakava’s anticipated Gor Mahia exit hits brick wall”To be honest with you, I am not focusing on the opponent. I am just focusing about my team. I know for the fans it is a derby but to be honest, in the situation right now, you cannot compare Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards because they were allowed to recruit and have some new players while we do not have. We have been working with the youth players for a month now because we do not have any other players. I know it is a special match for the players and I hope they will give 100%. After the end of the 95 or so minutes, I hope my players will come back to the dressing room having given their best efforts,” the head coach remarked.UP NEXT #MashemejiDerby #OursForever pic.twitter.com/py9lQCmiC3— AFC Leopards (@AFCLeopards) October 19, 2021 For Harrison, the task will be to extend Ingwe’s winless run in the derby fixture that they have not won since March 2016. For Aussems, the exact opposite will be true. Whoever wants it, will probably have it all. Perhaps they will be cautious and come out with a point. Who knows?The game kicks off at 1500 EAT.
