Gor Mahia and arch rivals AFC Leopards lock horns in a league Mashemeji Derby at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday with the two belligerents having differing ambitions.While record 19-time Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) champions Gor Mahia are top of the table standings and chasing another glory, Leopards are out of contention and will be using the game to prepare for the Mozzart Bet Cup semifinals, according to coach Patrick Aussems. The Belgian has offered that he will be rotating his squad in the remaining league games, including in the derby, as he ensures his players keep fit for the game against Kakamega Homeboyz FC in the Mozzart Bet Cup semis. “I only have 19 players in the group, and I want everyone to be fit until the end of the season. Some of them did not play a lot in the last few weeks, and I have decided to give them minutes. I will keep changing the team for the league games, including the derby, because we want to have a ready team for the Cup game,” the former Simba SC Manager said.##NAJAVA_MECA_7244763##Yet, such a derby anywhere in the world is not just another 90 minutes game; stakes are ever so sky high whenever rival teams, backed by rich history clash. Aussems’ attitude may thus be deemed to be disrespectful not only to the Ingwe fans, who have craved a win in the fixture since 2016, and the Mashemeji Derby itself.To underscore how winning this derby is important to fans, K’Ogalo’s diehard fan and historian Tom Bwana has urged coach Johnathan McKinstry to ensure they don’t lose through hook or crook. Gor Mahia honchos urge fans on ahead of Mashemeji DerbyHey @johnnymckinstry, do anything you want on Sunday but don’t lose #MashemejiDerby. If we wanted a coach to help us lose this match for the first time since 2016 we’d have shopped locally. We have many here.— Tom Bwana (@TomBwana) May 10, 2023 McKinstry has indicated that they’ll be going for three points in the game, but has pointed out that it will not be a walk in the park.”The boys are eager. We’re going in there wanting the three points, but we will have to work for them,” the former Uganda Cranes coach said.
