It is now official that the highly anticipated Mashemeji Derby pitting arch-rivals AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia has been postponed to a later date due to the unavailability of a venue.The biggest club fixture in Kenyan football, the Mashemeji Derby was set to take place this Sunday 24 November at Nyayo National Stadium with AFC Leopards hosting K’Ogalo.AFC Leopards coach urges fans to set aside title aspirationsThis is after the home team, AFC Leopards failed to secure Nyayo Stadium which was originally scheduled to host the match as a result of the ongoing renovations.##NAJAVA_MECA_8511254##In a communication seen by Mozzart Sport from the FKF Leagues and Competitions department, the 96th Mashemeji Derby will not take place this Sunday.“Match Postponement – FKFPL Match No. 79, AFC Leopards SC vs Gor Mahia FC,” reads the message.We want to be Sunday’s talk of town- AFC Leopards defenderUncertainty had engulfed the fixture after it emerged earlier in the week that Ingwe were yet to secure Nyayo which was the only stadium in the country with the ability to host such a fixture.The match was further thrown into limbo on Wednesday when Sports Kenya in an interview with Mozzart Sport confirmed that Nyayo Stadium was still a construction site and therefore not ready to host the match.##NAJAVA_MECA_8511236##“No, Nyayo is not ready. When Leopards make a formal request, I will explain to them why the facility is not available,” said Sports Kenya Director General Pius Metto.The postponement of this fixture expounds on the stadia problem currently facing the country that saw the national team Harambee Stars host its 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification matches outside the country.Sports Ministry on the spot as senate questions CHAN, AFCON billionsNyayo National Stadium and Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani are undergoing renovations in preparations for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) that will be co-hosted in Kenya alongside Uganda and Tanzania.Other sporting facilities currently undergoing renovations include Bukhungu Stadium, Kasarani Annex and Afraha Stadium while the Talanta City Stadium is still under construction and is expected to be complete by December 2025 even as the country prepares to host the 2027 AFCON.##NAJAVA_MECA_8511246##
