Former Harambee Stars and Gor Mahia forward Dennis Oliech has admitted that it is difficult to predict the team that will secure bragging rights in this weekend’s Mashemeji Derby. Eternal rivals Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards are set to renew their football rivalries on Sunday, in the delayed first leg of the derby, at the refurbished Kasarani Stadium. The match was initially pencilled for November 2024, but was postponed after AFC Leopards failed to find a suitable venue for the high-stakes encounter. Oliech, who featured for K’Ogalo in the sunset days of his career, was expected to back his former side to skin Leopards alive and extend their dominance in the fixture. ##NAJAVA_MECA_8736122##However, Oliech struggled to pick the pre-match favourite arguing that form in previous matches and head-to-head record counts for nothing in derbies. “It is also hard to predict which team will carry the day. Gone are the days when it was easy to conclude that Gor will beat Leopards. If you keenly look at the league table, you will realize it not easy to predict,” the former Harambee Stars captain opened up. Despite being the biggest club football fixture in the country and in the region, as some believe, the contest has been occasionally punctuated by hooliganism and has in the past witnessed ugly confrontations between fans and the police. Mozzart Bet Cup: AFC Leopards to face Mara Sugar as round 16 pairings are revealedAs the excitement over this weekend’s match gathers momentum, Oliech is appealing to all stakeholders to join hands and make the fixture safe for all and attractive to families. “Both teams, FKF and all stakeholders should strive to make the derby more friendly especially to families. The derby should be devoid of teargas, running battles and unnecessary confrontation,” said the former FC Nantes man. South African club slams FKF in bid to appoint Harambee Stars’ next coachAt the same time, Oliech urged both sets of fans to exercise tolerance and shun violence by all means possible. “Derbies should not be a matter of life and death. I know people invest a lot of emotions in derbies, but my biggest wish is to see fans from either club embracing each other before and after the game,” added Oliech.
