Former AFC Leopards coach Gilbert Selebwa believes the dwindling hype and declining intensity of the iconic Mashemeji Derby can be blamed on a lack of commitment from today’s players.Follow Our WhatsApp Channel For More News Selebwa, who played a key role in reviving AFC Leopards in 2009 and Shabana FC in 2011, says many current players are driven more by financial gain than pride in representing Kenya’s most storied football clubs—AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia.##NAJAVA_MECA_8910386##“The Derby has lost its weight and aura compared to past seasons,” Selebwa told Mozzart Sport.“Back then, players had identity, they were ready to fight for the badge. Today, they’re just playing for money. They don’t understand the responsibility that comes with wearing that jersey.”The veteran tactician, now coaching National Super League [NSL] side Samwest Blackboots, expressed his dismay at what he described as a “slow death” of the rivalry, not just on the pitch, but across the football ecosystem.“In our days, losing to Gor Mahia haunted you for weeks. You couldn’t sleep. But today, a player loses the derby and laughs it off. ‘We live to fight another day,’ they say. That mindset tells you all you need to know.”FKF draft 6-point anti-hooliganism plan after Gor Mahia, Shabana chaosSelebwa did not spare fans, media, or football authorities either, faulting them for letting the Derby’s legacy fade.“We have a massive game this weekend that could shape the title race—and it’s midweek already, but where’s the hype? This buzz should’ve started two weeks ago,” he said.“In the past, fans were at the stadium by 10 a.m. Now, people trickle in at 2 p.m. That’s poor marketing and a lack of engagement from everyone—clubs, media, federation and fans alike.”CONFIRMED: AFC Leopards disqualified from Mozzart Bet Cup after losing appealDespite the somber tone, Selebwa believes the fixture still holds the power to reignite national interest.He noted that with AFC Leopards having a chance to derail Gor Mahia’s title charge, the storyline writes itself.Gor, aiming for a third straight league title, will host their bitter rivals AFC Leopards in the 97th edition of the FKF Premier League’s Mashemeji Derby on Sunday, May 11.K’Ogalo are chasing their record-extending 22nd league crown, while Leopards—12-time champions—are seeking to play spoilers in a match that has defined Kenyan football since 1968.##NAJAVA_MECA_8910057##The rivalry reached fever pitch in 1980 when Gor Mahia dethroned Leopards (then known as Abaluhya FC) in the East and Central Africa Club Championship final in Malawi, igniting the fierce and enduring feud that would become the heartbeat of Kenyan football.
