The biggest fixture in Kenyan football, the Mashemeji Derby pitting AFC Leopards against their arch rivals Gor Mahia goes down today, Sunday 30 March at the Nyayo National Stadium from 1600 hrs.The match is the first leg meeting between the two sides following the postponement of this fixture, twice, previously due to the unavailability of a suitable venue to host such a fixture.##NAJAVA_MECA_8812234##With the reopening of Nyayo National Stadium after about a year of renovations, AFC finally found the venue for the 96th Mashemeji Derby.Ahead of the game, Gor Mahia are third on the FKF Premier League (FKFPL ) table with 42 points, five shy of league leaders Tusker FC with the latter having played two matches more , and three points less than Police who have played on match more than K’Ogalo.AFC Leopards on the other hand are fifth on the log with 36 points but with two games in hand, one of which is today’s Mashemeji Derby.Mashemeji Derby: A stage for young stars to shine, says former AFC Leopards midfielderIn the previous 95 Mashemeji Derbies, Gor Mahia have had a slight edge over their rivals, winning 33 times with Ingwe emerging as victors 28 times while 34 meetings ended in a stalemate.In their last nine encounters, K’Ogalo have dominated the fixture, taking three points on eight occasions with Leopards recent victory coming on 14 May 2023, a 2-1 triumph at the Nyayo National Stadium.Prior to the win in May 2023, Leopards last victory in the Mashemeji Derby came in March 2016 in a 1-0 victory.A win for Gor Mahia would take them to two points within reach of leaders Tusker FC and with a game in hand or three points below Kenya Police who could return to the summit should they overcome Posta Rangers in one of the other matches lined up for today.Ex-Gor Mahia midfielder opens up on difficult exit and future aspirationsFor Leopards, a win would push them to fourth place with 39 points and keep their title hopes alive. Should they fail to win, they would practically be out of the title race and wait longer for the league title that has eluded them since 1998.Coming into the match, both teams last tasted a league defeat nine matches ago even though Leopards have not been impressive in recent times.The 1998 league champions have not won any of their last three matches which all ended in stalemates and have won just one of the last five games.For the 21-time league champions, they have won three of their last five and are coming on the back of back-to-back wins over Kariobangi Sharks and Bandari respectively.Tomorrow the biggest Derby in Kenya takes center stage, just like we showed up for the Harambee Stars World Cup qualifiers last weekend, let’s turn up in large numbers tomorrow at the Nyayo National Stadium to support our local league, who do your think will win the 96th… pic.twitter.com/fUaNdTjfIC— Hussein Mohammed (@husseinmoha) March 29, 2025 In the other league matches lined up for today, Shabana welcome Murang’a SEAL at the Gusii Stadium from 1400 hrs.Since the two teams were promoted to the top tier last season, they have maintained if not increased the rivalry that they had in the National Super League (NSL) with their previous matches proving to be high octane.The fixture is always preceded by online banter between fans and social media admins of the two teams which builds up and into the game.Shabana are seventh in the league table while Seal are in the relegation zone at 16th having not won any of their last nine league games with their last win traced back to 12 December 2024.##NAJAVA_MECA_8812237##Shabana will be banking on their home support to overcome their visitors while the Murang’a-based side must overcome the Gusii Stadium atmosphere to get a win that would boost their survival chances.At the Mumias Sports Complex in Kakamega County, Mozzart Bet-sponsored Kakamega Homeboyz will host KCB in a match that kicks off at 1400 hrs.Eighth paced Homeboyz will be aiming at finding their winning ways back after failing to record a win in their last two matches while last season’s Mozzart Bet Cup finalists KCB will be aiming to make it two wins in a row after victory over Ulinzi in their last league game.The other match of the day will see title-chasing Kenya Police take their league hunting venture to Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos in a match that begins at 1500 hrs.A win for Police would mark their return to the league summit and a point higher than Tusker while Posta Rangers will be angling for a win that would further increase their chances of escaping relegation.FKF Premier League MatchesShabana vs Murang’a SEAL – Gusii Stadium (1400hrs)Kakamega Homeboyz vs KCB FC – Mumias Sports Complex (1400hrs)Posta Rangers vs Kenya Police FC – Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos (1500 hrs)AFC Leopards vs Gor Mahia -Nyayo National Stadium (1600 hrs)
