The second leg of this season’s Mashemeji Derby will be played at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday.Initially, the biggest inter-club football match in the country was to be hosted at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos owing to a number of reasons.Key among them was the unavailability of Nyayo, the venue selected to host the fifth edition of the Kip Keino Classic set for Saturday( the derby was initially planned for Saturday as well).##NAJAVA_MECA_8028194##Further, Gor, who are the host, remains banned from playing their home matches on any Sports Kenya-owned stadia thanks to the destruction of property witnessed during their league tie against debutants Murang’a Seal in November last year.The decision for the fixture to be played in Machakos elicited condemnation from football enthusiasts who questioned the suitability of Kenyatta Stadium in hosting the match.Gor Mahia slapped with huge bill for Kasarani Stadium damagesAdditionally, fans appeared to suggest that playing the derby in Machakos would water down its quality.Gor vice chairman Francis Wasuna confirmed that the club had successfully struck a deal with Sports Kenya to have the derby played at Nyayo.“I can confirm that the derby will be played at the Nyayo National Stadium. Sports Kenya have agreed to accommodate us,” said the administrator.Asked on the progress made as far as clearing the huge bill Sports Kenya slapped the record league champions in November, Wasuna revealed that negotiations were at an advanced stage.Why hosting Mashemeji Derby in Machakos is a sports marketing absurditySports Kenya billed Gor 1.9 million shillings for the damage witnessed at Kasarani Stadium after their league contest against Murang’a Seal.The body made it clear that K’Ogalo will only be allowed to host matches at their facilities upon making the payments.“We acknowledge that property was destroyed at Kasarani and as the home time, it is our responsibility to pay for the damage. We are still negotiating with Sports Kenya for favourable payment plan and time frame,” added Wasuna.
