The Mashemeji Derby, a Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) clash between AFC Leopards and arch rivals Gor Mahia, went down for the 92nd time at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday afternoon.Here’s what we picked from the biggest club football game in Kenya and East Africa.1. The derby is resilient Despite the fact that the Football Kenya Federation, FKF brought forward the fixture, against the wishes of Leopards, who were the home team, and with little time to put all the logistics that comes with such a big event together, the match was largely a success going by fans’ attendance. The 25-sitter capacity Nyayo Stadium was reasonably packed.Mashemeji Derby: Ingwe’s seven-year wait for victory persists after barren draw against Gor MahiaTo imagine that an opposition rally, involving Gor Mahia’s patron, the Right Honorable Raila Odinga, was also taking place in the City, at the Jacaranda Grounds, the derby punched above its weight and succeeded while at it.2. Leopards have developed mentally In the lead up to the game, former Harambee Stars and Gor Mahia defender Sammy “Pamzo” Omollo predicted another win for K’Ogalo, pegging his reason on Ingwe’s perceived mental weakness whenever they faced their foes.Well, the 90 minutes proved that nothing could be further from the truth. Leopards matched Gor Mahia almost pound for pound, giving as much as they received, proving that they have indeed matured mentally in the fixture.For Gor Mahia to reclaim their dominance, they will have to invest in a superior quality squad.##NAJAVA_MECA_6979418##3. All teams are equal, but AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia are more equal than others Crowds face trouble accessing Nyayo owing to gate allocation systemAll major leagues across the world are pegged around that one special fixture. Whether you like it or not, it’s the primary way of marketing your league. In Tanzania, it’s Yanga SC v. Simba SC, Rayon Sports v. APR in Rwanda, Kaizer Chiefs v. Orlando Pirates in South Africa…the list is continues. There’s no excuse for Kenya, and the FKF must read the memo soon, they have dragged their feet since 2016.4. It’s all about hypeFor the first time in many moons, I saw a combined effort in ensuring that there was enough hype to entice fans to attend the derby. From stars abroad to local online influencers, they all put a word for the derby and fans heeded the call and attended the match in numbers. From the effort , we learn that the solution to the growth of our league and football in general is within us, and it’s possible!5. Big games call for big players including match officials This goes out to the FKF, such big matches market your number one club product, that way, make sure all details, including officiating are well taken cared of; choose the best within, and if you can’t get locally, like the tradition in the Cairo derby, import them.Player Ratings: Omala kept quiet as Geoffrey Ochieng sparkles in Mashemeji DerbyOn the down side, for the first time since I started following this great derby, it was not broadcasted, either on television or online. How terrible and sad. This should never reoccur.Mashemeji Derby will not be broadcasted anywhere, Leopards blame FKF
