Gor Mahia skipper Austin Odhiambo/HANDOUTGor Mahia skipper Austin Odhiambo has swatted away claims that the club’s request to postpone the Mashemeji Derby betrays anxiety ahead of their crunch meeting with AFC Leopards.
Odhiambo insisted that the record champions remain “eager and fully prepared” for the fixture once a new date is set. The dreadlocked midfield maestro, calm in tone yet sharp in message, made it clear the delay had only poured fuel on their hunger.
“I’m eagerly awaiting the match day. We are ready to rectify the mistakes we made on Tuesday during our match against APS Bomet,” he said, in reference to the bruising 4–1 drubbing at Nyayo Stadium — a result that gave critics ready ammunition and invited speculation about K’Ogalo’s willingness to return to the same ground for the country’s fiercest battle.
Odhiambo, however, did not flinch.
“Contrary to misplaced perception, we are not scared of Leopards. We have a right as the host team to play at a facility where we will enjoy an advantage. Everybody is aware Nyayo Stadium has been Ingwe’s stronghold ever since,” he noted.
Across the aisle, AFC Leopards head coach Fred Ambani shot back with his own straight-edged rebuttal, refusing to entertain the idea that Nyayo gives his team a built-in edge.
“That’s a misplaced notion that everyone should get rid of. Nyayo Stadium does not belong to any team in the league – it is a national facility,” Ambani said.
And then, in classic derby theatre, he twisted the knife — gently, deliberately. “I strongly feel our opponents have developed cold feet because we gave them a hard time in our last encounter.”
Meanwhile, Kenyan football fans have been left fuming after the blockbuster Mashemeji derby was dramatically shelved.
The clash, one of East Africa’s most explosive rivalries, had been pencilled in for this Sunday. But in a dramatic late twist, the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) ripped it off the schedule after a spectacular meltdown in venue planning plunged the fixture into utter chaos.
And if fans thought this was a one-off mess, they only needed to cast a glance at last season’s full-blown circus. The derby — the crown jewel of Kenyan football — was knocked off the rails twice, first on March 2 and again on May 11, after both Nyayo and Kasarani were shut for CHAN 2024 renovations.
This time, trouble began when Kasarani, the expected host, was snapped up for a CAF Confederation Cup tie featuring Nairobi United and Maniema Union of DR Congo. That forced FKF to scramble for plan B.
Officials quickly picked Nyayo National Stadium — but that only made things worse. Gor Mahia were having none of it, blasting the choice as a “home advantage” to bitter rivals AFC Leopards, who use the venue far more often.
Tempers rose, and on Wednesday, Gor Mahia took things up a notch by writing directly to FKF’s Leagues and Competitions boss, Frank Ogolla.
The club insisted they couldn’t find a fair or suitable place to stage the derby.
“Dear Sir, I write to formally notify your office that, as the host team for the forthcoming SportPesa League match against AFC Leopards (Derby), we have been unable to secure a suitable venue for the fixture,” the letter read in part.
They didn’t stop there — the club outright asked FKF to call off the weekend showdown. “In light of this challenge, we kindly request that the match be postponed to a later date to be communicated by your office in due course,” it added.
Gor rounded things off with a diplomatic apology, saying they regretted the chaos and were ready to play once a new date is set. “We sincerely regret any inconvenience this may cause and assure you of our commitment to ensuring that the match proceeds smoothly once the new date is confirmed. Thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation.”
FKF has promised to announce a replacement date soon — but for now, the biggest match in Kenya’s football calendar is on ice.
