Gor Mahia will not only be out to get the bragging rights but also the points that will see them reclaim the top spot when they host AFC Leopards in an FKF Premier League match at the Nyayo National Stadium.Tusker’s 1-0 win over Kariobangi Sharks on Saturday saw the Brewers take control of the FKF Premier League log with 64 points, one more than the record league champions, who take on their eternal archrivals in the Mashemeji Derby.##NAJAVA_MECA_7252377##Many would agree that Gor have been more than impressive this campaign, as they had to work with a very lean squad for the entire first leg due to a FIFA transfer ban but managed to top the league by the end of the first stanza. The Leopards are also serving a transfer embargo, and unlike their rivals, they were still locked out of making signings in the mid-season window and currently sit 9th in the log. Coach Patrick Aussems has already made it known that his team’s focus is to win the Mozzart Be Cup this campaign.The Leopards have not beaten Gor Mahia in seven years. The last time they achieved that was in March 2016, when substitute Lamine Diallo came off the bench to score the winner ten minutes from time. The first-leg tie between the two sides played at the same venue ended in a barren draw.It is a match that key men could prove vital in. Gor Mahia will be hoping that dangerman Benson Omala finds his form in the game, while for the Leopards, Ojo Olaniyi has proven to be their keyman upfront. Both goalkeepers, Levis Opiyo and Gad Mathews, have kept 15 clean sheets this season, and they could be called into action once again on Sunday to prevent their sides from conceding.AFC Leopards to enter into sponsorship with BataAhead of the derby, Omala is keen on finding the back of the net.”Of course, it is a great feeling to play in another Mashemeji Derby. It is a big game, and as a striker, I’ll do as I always do. The simplest job is to score goals, and that is what I am looking forward to doing,” he said.On his part, coach Johnathan Mckinstry is counting on the fans support to bring down the Leopards.”The derby is in a unique position within Kenya and East Africa, but also in the context of the season. We have five games remaining, and we are in a big battle for the league with Tusker. We hope the fans will be available for the story, as I have told my players. We are looking forward to a competitive game that the fans will not want to miss,” he said.His AFC Leopards counterpart, Aussems, appeared to downplay the importance of the derby with his focus on lifting the Cup. He says he will keep rotating his players.”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.The match starts at 3 p.m.Tactical Showdown: Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards gear Up for the Mashemeji DerbyOther Sunday matches Nairobi City Stars vs Bandari (Ruaraka Grounds)Kakamega Homeboyz vs Nzoia Sugar FC (Bukhungu Stadium)Kenya Police vs Mathare United (Police Pavilion Grounds)
