Former AFC Leopards right back Yusuf Mainge feels motivated after finally picking up a victory in the Mashemeji Derby at the first time of asking since crossing over to arch-rivals Gor Mahia.Mainge secured his K’Ogalo debut against familiar opponents after ditching Ingwe at the start of the month to join the list of players who have crossed the divide to enemy territory. What a debut. Happy to have met familiar faces who we shared so much with.Solid outing from everyone that was capped with a well fought win. We move. #Sirkal #Maingenuine pic.twitter.com/QCnDzxfmd9— Yusuf Mainge (@MaingeYusuf) October 20, 2021 Speaking to Mozzart Sport, Mainge revealed that the derby victory inflicted motivation in him and opened up on what he told Ingwe players following the full time whistle. “I feel motivated after the victory because it was a huge challenge. The coach gave me enough confidence to play – he told to me to be courageous as I have nothing to prove and,”“I appreciated them (AFC Leopards players) for the good game they played but right now I’m focused on playing regularly and giving good performances in order to regain my form,” said Mainge.A lone goal from Boniface Omondi in the first half settled the derby with AFC Leopards unable to overwrite their torrid record against Gor Mahia as the last time they tasted victory was back in 2016.Mainge was however coy on Gor Mahia’s chances of recapturing their previous form that saw them clinch the league four consecutive times before losing out to Tusker last season. “For now it difficult to tell because we are taking it a game at a time and that is how the coach wants us to approach the season. He has told us to push ourselves and make sure that we get into the Conferedation Cup group stages because Gor is a big team that wants to achieve a lot,” added Mainge.
