Former Gor Mahia, AFC Leopards, and Harambee Stars defender Erick Masika has criticized the management of K’Ogalo and Ingwe for the repeated postponement of the Mashemeji Derby.Masika, who played for both Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards between 2009 and 2015, pointed fingers at the organizing committees of both teams, blaming them for the diminishing excitement surrounding the fixture.His comments come just a week after the first leg of the highly anticipated 2024/2025 Mashemeji Derby was postponed yet again, following its failure to take place last year.##NAJAVA_MECA_8769332##The fixture, originally scheduled for Sunday, March 2, was called off after the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) confirmed that Leopards, the designated home team, had failed to secure a suitable venue for the clash.According to the initial season fixture list, the first-round meeting was set for November 24, 2024, but was postponed due to similar venue issues.With Kenya preparing to co-host the postponed 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) and the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the only two venues capable of hosting the derby—Nyayo Stadium and Kasarani Stadium—are undergoing extensive renovations.Trends Gen Z are using to reshape Kenyan football cultureMasika expressed frustration over the situation, stating that poor planning by the clubs’ management has let down fans and football stakeholders.“I am disappointed with how the Mashemeji Derby is being handled. Some people claim the derby is losing its spark, but that’s not the case. The truth is, the management of both teams has failed the fans and stakeholders,” he told Mozzart Sport.##NAJAVA_MECA_8763424##He further accused club officials of failing to make alternative arrangements despite knowing well in advance that Kasarani and Nyayo would be unavailable.“We get the fixture schedule before the season begins, including tentative dates and venues. We all knew that Kasarani and Nyayo would be under renovation, so what was the plan? The club officials should have borrowed a leaf from those who managed the derby in the past—those guys truly valued it.”Junior Starlets’ boss shares game plan ahead of Uganda clashMasika, currently the head coach of Kona Rangers FC in the FKF Division Two Western Zone, lamented that the second-leg matches had already begun while the first-leg derby remained unplayed.“Imagine we are already in the second leg of the season, yet we still don’t have a date for the first (Mashemeji Derby) fixture because of venue issues. If the club leaders were serious about planning, the derby would retain the passion it has always had. The players are ready. The fans are eager to witness the match. But the problem lays solely with the management.”##NAJAVA_MECA_8762848##Masika began his professional career at Gor Mahia in 2009, where he established himself as a dependable defender over three seasons.In 2012, he made a high-profile switch to AFC Leopards for a then-record transfer fee of Ksh450,000, making him one of the most expensive players in the Kenyan Premier League at the time.During his career, Masika played in multiple Mashemeji Derby encounters before hanging up his boots.
