Former AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia goalkeeper Wycliffe Kasaya believes this Sunday’s Mashemeji Derby between the two clubs will be highly unpredictable. Either side can emerge victorious.The derby, which has already been postponed twice, was originally scheduled for November 2024 but will now take place at Nyayo National Stadium following a February postponement due to a lack of suitable stadiums for a high-risk match of this scale.##NAJAVA_MECA_8805340##Kasaya, now retired and coaching, is hesitant to name a favorite for the clash, pointing to the teams’ current struggles this season. “This derby will be unpredictable because both teams are currently not in their best form, and only six points separate them on the table,” Kasaya noted.The former keeper also praised AFC Leopards for appointing local coach Fred Ambani, expressing his confidence in Ambani’s potential for success. and expressed”One thing I appreciate about Leopards is their faith in a local coach, Ambani. He believes in young players, and I’m confident he’ll be successful because he coached me at Nakumatt, so I know his capabilities,” Kasaya said. He added, “The big teams don’t usually trust local coaches, so it’s refreshing to see Fred coaching Leopards.”Shimanyula stands by Patrick Matasi in wake of spot-fixing allegationThough Kasaya seemed to favor AFC Leopards heading into the match, he acknowledged Gor Mahia’s dominance in previous derbies and expressed his desire for change. “Gor Mahia has dominated this fixture for years, and I don’t like that. I want Ingwe to show more fighting spirit and try to win the game,” he said, while cautioning that small margins could decide the match. “Sunday’s match could go either way; having watched both teams this season, I can’t say there’s a clear favorite. It will be a closely fought contest, and a moment of brilliance or a mistake could decide the outcome.”‘I am not scared of Mashemeji Derby’ – AFC Leopards coach Fred AmbaniKasaya also urged fans to turn out in large numbers, emphasizing the importance of the derby to Kenyan football.”The derby is the marquee fixture of our league, and we need to demonstrate its importance by having a fully packed Nyayo National Stadium,” he explained. “The federation, clubs, and all stakeholders should ensure the stadium is full on Sunday. We must send a strong message to potential sponsors that the Kenyan league is serious business by showing strong fan attendance.”Why Mariga rarely misses Harambee Stars training sessions and matchesReflecting on the two squads, Kasaya highlighted the strengths of both teams.”In terms of playing units, Leopards have a very good young team that plays exciting football. Gor Mahia, too, have a strong team and the mentality to get the job done. I predict an entertaining game for the fans,” he concluded.The match is set to kick off at 4 PM.Victor Wanyama signs for Scottish second-tier club
