Eternal rivals Gor Mahia, AFC Leopards lock horns at Nyayo
Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards before a past match. The two rivals clash on May 7, 2017 at Nyayo Stadium. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE |
What you need to know:
- Bragging rights and points at stake as Ingwe and K’Ogalo cross swords in the first instalment of a meeting of Kenya’s most successful clubs.
- Leopards against Gor Mahia is as big as they come
Kenya’s biggest club football match is here. It has never been business as usual when AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia cross paths.
After all, these two clubs are are the most popular sporting entities in the country if one considers the size of their fan base.
That aside, and as you will notice this afternoon, a football match pitting AFC Leopards against Gor Mahia is more or less the epitome of Kenyan football. These two clubs are set to clash in an eagerly-anticipated SportPesa Premier League contest, which has in the last few years earned the nickname “Mashemeji derby” (battle of the in-laws)
The game kicks off at the refurbished Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi starting 3pm.
“This is a state function. Come one, come all.” @OdoyoMunga declared on Twitter, perhaps pointing to the importance of the match.
Without doubt, thousands of supporters will find time to witness this contest from the stands at 30,000-seater facility. A sizeable chunk of those in attendance will have made their way there from as far as Mombasa, Nakuru and obviously, Western Kenya - where both teams boast significant support. Another group of supporters will for sure be following the game on television, thanks to a last-minute arrangements made by local football administrators.
Other top flight football clubs in action Sunday afternoon, the likes of Western Stima, Thika United, Zoo Kericho and Ulinzi Stars, can only hope for such a following.
Leopards and Gor’s dominance in terms of popularity stretches back more than half a decade when the two institutions were formed.
Since, the clubs have won between them several local and regional accolades, with Gor boasting a continental title - the 1987 Mandela Cup.
What’s more, these two sides have also nurtured some big name football stars of current and yester-years, namely, Michael Olunga, Victor Wanyama, Musa Otieno, Joe Kadenge, Mohammed Abbas, JJ Masiga, Austin Oduor, Sammy Omollo and Zedekiah Otieno.
Additionally, this match ranks as one of those events that unite Kenyans from all walks of life, from the low income earners, to middle income and finally the big fish, politicians included.
And just like when Yanga play Simba in Dar, or El Merreikh face Al Hilal in Khartoum, Kaizer Chiefs host Orlando Pirates in Johannesburg, or Asante Kotoko lock horns with Hearts of Oak in Accra, Leopards against Gor Mahia is as big as they come. Enjoy!
