When is the Mashemeji Derby featuring Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards, and how can you catch the action?

Gor Mahia is set to face their fierce rivals AFC Leopards in the second round of the 2024/25 Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League Mashemeji derby on Sunday, May 11th.

This marks the 97th meeting between these two powerhouse clubs, with Gor Mahia striving to clinch their third consecutive title. Having secured a record-breaking 21st title last season, K’Ogalo are currently considered one of the frontrunners for the championship this year.

As it stands, Gor Mahia boasts a remarkable 21 Kenyan Premier League titles, while Leopards hold 12. Their rivalry has been intense since their first encounter on May 5th, 1968.

The true spirit of the derby ignited in 1980 when K’Ogalo toppled Ingwe (formerly Abaluhya FC) at the East and Central Africa Club Championship final in Malawi. Prior to this, the leading teams in Kenyan football frequently changed as different sides enjoyed spells of dominance.

When is the derby and how can you watch it?

Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards will clash on Sunday, May 11th, at Kasarani Stadium. This marks the first match at this venue since it underwent renovations and upgrades following its closure by the Kenyan government in August 2023.

Kasarani Stadium, along with Nyayo and other locations, has been refurbished in preparation for co-hosting the 2024 Africa Nations Championships (CHAN) and the forthcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

This highly anticipated match will be broadcast live on Tanzania’s Pay TV channel Azam TV, FKF’s official broadcasting partner, specifically on Azam Sports 4HD, kicking off at 14:00.

Gor Mahia vs AFC Leopards: Head-to-Head

In recent years, Gor Mahia has had the upper hand over their rivals, with Ingwe predominantly playing catch-up. Recent records show that out of the last six encounters, Ingwe has managed just one victory against K’Ogalo.

The first clash of this season resulted in a goalless draw at a packed Nyayo Stadium. Last season, Gor Mahia triumphed over their arch-rivals, completing a double over them. In the first round, K’Ogalo won 2-0, followed by a 1-0 victory in the second round on their path to claiming a historic 21st league title.

In the previous season, after a goalless draw in their first match, Ingwe finally broke their winless streak against Gor Mahia with a 2-1 victory in the return fixture, having previously gone ten games without a win against K’Ogalo.

During the 2021 season, Gor Mahia edged the first match 1-0 before the second ended in another goalless draw. In 2019, K’Ogalo showcased their dominance, winning the first round 3-1 and later thrashing their rivals 4-1 in the second round, finishing the season with seven goals scored against them and just two conceded.

Form Guide for Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards

The reigning champions enter this critical match currently in second place on the 16-team league table with 53 points from 29 matches. Gor Mahia trails league leaders Kenya Police FC by just two points while holding a one-point advantage over Tusker FC in third place.

K’Ogalo’s performance thus far includes 15 wins, eight draws, and six losses. Following their 0-0 draw with AFC Leopards, they’ve played five league matches, claiming three victories, suffering one defeat, and recording one draw. Their recent results include a 1-0 win over KCB, a 1-1 draw with Sofapaka, a surprising 1-0 loss to FC Talanta, a commanding 4-0 win against Mara Sugar, and a narrow 1-0 victory over Shabana FC.

Meanwhile, AFC Leopards find themselves on the brink of another trophyless season as they occupy sixth place on the table with 42 points from ten wins, twelve draws, and seven defeats. Since their draw with K’Ogalo, they have only secured one victory in their last five league outings, along with two defeats and two draws.

Ingwe suffered a 2-1 loss against Kakamega Homeboyz and a 1-0 defeat to Posta Rangers, before managing a 0-0 draw with Ulinzi Stars. They then bounced back to win 3-1 against Bidco United, only to end their subsequent match against Tusker in another goalless draw.

Mashemeji Derby Ticket Information

According to an official statement from the FKF, tickets for the derby are currently available for purchase, with a total of 45,000 tickets on offer. There are 5,000 allocated for VVIP ticket holders and 40,000 for general admission. Fans are advised to secure their tickets early to avoid the rush as match day approaches.

The ticket pricing is as follows: Regular Ticket: KES 300, VVIP Ticket: KES 5,000, and Car Parking: KES 300.

The Federation has also confirmed that there will be no physical tickets sold at the gates; hence, fans are encouraged to purchase tickets online through tikiti.co.ke. The ticket sales will conclude on Saturday, May 10th.