Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards fans were left frustrated after the two teams battled to a goalless draw in the long-awaited Mashemeji Derby.Follow our WhatsApp channel for more newsAfter being postponed twice, the country’s biggest club football fixture, the Mashemeji Derby, finally went down on Sunday, 30 March, at the Nyayo National Stadium.This was the first time the derby was being held after almost a year with the previous fixture, a 1-0 victory for Gor Mahia, tracing back to Sunday, 21 April 2024.Shabana smashes gate collection record in dominant win over Murang’a SEALAt a stadium packed beyond capacity, both clubs left fans with little to celebrate as they all shot blanks to ensure the spoils were shared.After the match, fans from both sides of the divide spoke to Mozzart Sport, with others taking to social media to share their reactions on the match with the majority of them expressing their disappointment.“I honestly do not understand what our coach was thinking before and during the match. That was a game that we could have easily won but drew due to some tactical blunders by the coach.##NAJAVA_MECA_8814253##Why did we have to play with five defenders? What was his attacking strategy? We were so flat and offered little threat, if any, going forward.For Gor Mahia to win the league, we have to sort out our forward line. The one I saw cannot do that work,” said Gor Mahia fan Ochy Weider.Weider’s sentiments were shared by Hezbon Oluoch, who even called for coach Sinisa Mihic’s dismissal.Dunfermline manager jumps to Victor Wanyama’s defence after red card debut“For failing to win the derby and with a dismal performance, Mihic should be sent packing as a matter of urgency.That was probably one of the easiest derbies to win, but how could we do it when the coach fields such a lineup in such a system? We hardly reached Leopards’ goal, which is such a shame. I am personally disappointed.”For Evans Owino, the fact that Gor Mahia did not lose was enough satisfaction.##NAJAVA_MECA_8814257##“It was not the result that we came for but the fact that we did not lose to Shemeji (in-laws) makes me happy with the result. We have been so inconsistent this season, and at some point, I was afraid we might lose the game,” he said.Adelle Awino, on her part, took issue with Mihic’s touchline gimmicks.“When does our coach take time to analyze the game? He was so much interested in some unnecessary gimmicks instead of finding a solution to our blunt attack,” she said.Ambani singles out duo who cost AFC Leopards victory in Mashemeji DerbyDennis Okoth, a Gor Mahia fan and president of fans’ outfit Rooftop FC, who professionally is a Health, Safety and Security expert, chose to focus on the safety situation witnessed in the derby.“Stadium access and safety for the fans is still a challenge. More needs to be done to make us understand what are the safety requirements. Stewards must be trained to be proactive and prevent the struggles that fans have in accessing the stadium and even when inside the stadium,” he remarked.##NAJAVA_MECA_8814257##The frustration was equally shared by an Ingwe faithful, who thought they had a good chance of winning the derby for the first time since May 2023, almost two years ago.“We wasted so many chances in the game. I could count over three clear-cut chances in the game that went begging. We were clearly the better side but failed to win the bragging rights due to our wastefulness upfront.To win the derby, we have to convert such chances. I also took issue with the coach’s decision to start without a natural striker. Had Omune started the game, I believe the result would have been different,” said Brenda Nanjala.Stars Abroad: Ayunga shines for St. Mirren as Okumu stands tall for ReimsOn AFC Leopards’ Facebook page, Mackney Shon sang captain Lewis Bandi’s praises, terming him as national team material.“Our Captain Lewis Bandi deserves a call up to Harambee Stars, that boy is composed and calculative. Defense played well, mid was off, making us rely on long balls,” he stated.Elvies Kclinton, on the same platform, decried the lack of a clinical striker in the den.##NAJAVA_MECA_8814245##”It’s time for AFC Leopards to get a clinical striker who can score. We only played well in the first half. The second half was a gamble, the left wing was non-functional, and the right wing was khupa khutsie (long balls).I don’t understand why we prefer long balls only to lose them to the opponent. We need young strikers who are serious about performance,” he noted.The result left Gor Mahia third on the league standings with 43 points, five shy of league leaders Kenya Police FC, but with a game in hand,d while Leopards are fifth with 37 points.
