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‘Mashemeji’ derby: Leopards fans want equal share of Raila Stadium

Fans of AFC Leopards march on the streets of Nairobi before a league match in 2023. 

Photo credit: File | Nation

By  John Ashihundu

Correspondent

NMG Sport

What you need to know:

  • Ingwe are yet to beat K’Ogalo since 2023 when they triumphed 2-1 in the Premier League second leg.

AFC Leopards fans are now demanding that Gor Mahia reserve half the number of tickets for Monday’s Mashemeji derby to the visiting team.

The much-anticipated and twice-postponed Football Kenya Federation Premier League return leg pitting the two bitter enemies will be staged at the recently constructed Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay, which has a capacity of 12,000.

“We are mobilising our over 80 clubs’ branches to ferry supporters to Homa Bay in large numbers as we look forward to finishing the league in a respectable position.

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“We shall definitely be more than 6,000 and want to be assured of enough space at the Homa Bay Stadium. The league title is out of our reach, but we have vowed to support the team to finish in a respectable position,” said Franklin “Kuka” Imbenzi an executive member in charge of AFC Leopards’ branches.

“We are urging K’Ogalo fans to embrace peace before, during and after the match. They stand to reap big if they maintain order throughout,” he added.

During the last ‘Mashemeji’ derby hosted by Leopards at a sold-out Nyayo Stadium in March, the home side collected Sh7.3 million in gate receipts. The game ended in a barren draw.

Gor Mahia, who are the hosts of the 97th ‘Mashemeji’ derby, had wanted the match to be played at Nyayo National Stadium or MISC Kasarani but both venues located in Nairobi are being upgraded for the delayed 2024 African Nations Championship and 2027 Africa Cup of Nations that Kenya will co-host with Uganda and Tanzania.

“A derby is usually a must-watch for football fanatics, and we plan to paint Raila Odinga in the white and blue colours of Ingwe on Monday.

We want to turn up in large numbers to create an atmosphere that will push our players to display good football and beat Gor in Homa Bay,” said Ingwe Nairobi West branch chairman, Francis Liboyi, who is also the Kenya Football Fans Federation president.

Ingwe are yet to beat K’Ogalo since 2023 when they triumphed 2-1 in the Premier League second leg.