•Juma has fired a warning shot at their opponents, telling them to brace up for a vicious battle.
•Whereas Gor sit pretty in position three with eight points from four matches, Leopards are in the yellow zone at position 15 with a paltry three points.
Image: FILE
AFC Leopards head coach Tom Juma reckons his charges possess the mojo to maul traditional arch-rivals Gor Mahia for the second time running in their eagerly awaited 'Mashemeji' derby clash.
Ingwe will dare K’Ogalo in the 97th edition of Kenya’s most entertaining football showpiece at Moi Stadium, Kasarani on Saturday.
Juma has fired a warning shot at their opponents, telling them to brace up for a vicious battle.
“We are going for nothing short of a win. That’s our intention. Leopards’ fans hold the 'Mashemeji' derby so dearly and we just can’t afford to let them down,” Juma said in an exclusive interview.
The gaffer played down concerns that they will be heading to the encounter as underdogs on the back of a torrid run characterised by a four-match winless streak.
Whereas Gor sit pretty in position three with eight points from four matches, Leopards are in the yellow zone at position 15 with a paltry three points.
Juma was, however, emphatic that they would claw their opponents once more despite their superior statistics in the preceding fixtures.
“Over the years, the outcomes of the 'Mashemeji' derby have never been pegged on the form of the sides in the league.
“It’s true they currently enjoy a better position on the log but that will minimally impact on our match on Saturday,” he remarked.
Ingwe emerged the stronger side last time the two Kenyan Premier League behemoths flexed their muscles at Nyayo Stadium on May 13.
Before the defeat, Gor Mahia had held the bragging rights in straight wins spanning eight consecutive years.
K’Ogalo head coach, Jonathan McKinstry has tipped his charges to reclaim the 'Mashemeji; derby bragging rights they surrendered in May.
“We all understand how important the derby has always been to our fans and everyone else at the club and the least we can do for them is to win the match. We are ready for Saturday,” McKinstry said.
“We respect our opponents but it would be tragic to allow them to secure back-to-back wins in the derby. We are urging our fans to turn out in large numbers to rally behind the club,” McKinstry said.
Previously known as the Ingo-Dala derby, Mashemeji has rightfully captured the hearts and minds of Kenyans from all ethnic backgrounds.
Undoubtedly, it has been the country’s most cherished football showpiece pitting the two oldest Kenyan clubs in an abrasive rivalry now lasting over 50 years.
Formed in 1964 and 1968 respectively, AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia heavily drew their membership from the Abaluhya and Luo communities residing in Nairobi.
The traditional archrivals flexed muscles for the first time in history during their maiden tie at Nairobi City Stadium on May 5, 1968, where Gor prevailed over their nemesis with a hard-fought 1-0 victory.
With 31 victories, Gor Mahia boast the best statistical record in the derby. Whereas Leopards have 27 wins, the sides have shared spoils 34 times.
Before their sweet victory in May, the last time Ingwe beat K’Ogalo was in 2016 when Lamine Diallo’s solitary goal separated the two sides at full-time. Since then, Gor Mahia have won nine of their 12 encounters against Leopards.