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NFO
Kenya’s most iconic football clash, the Mashemeji Derby, pitting traditional rivals AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia, has been postponed indefinitely. ‘
Originally scheduled for Sunday, November 24, 2024, at the Nyayo National Stadium, the decision to delay the match has left fans disappointed. Here’s a detailed breakdown of why this much-anticipated event has been delayed and the broader challenges it highlights.
The Nyayo National Stadium, the planned host for this derby, is undergoing renovations to prepare for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN). The competition, co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, has necessitated upgrades to several sporting facilities across the country, rendering them unavailable for local events.
Gor Mahia's Congolese striker Gedeon Bendeka has put AFC Leopards on notice ahead of the Mashemeji derby amid uncertainity over the fixture.
In a statement, AFC Leopards, the designated home team for the fixture, confirmed the development:
«We regret to inform you that the much-anticipated FKF PL match – AFC Leopards SC vs Gor Mahia FC – #MashemejiDerby earlier scheduled to be played on Sunday, 24th November 2024, 1600Hrs at Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi has been postponed to a later date, » the club stated.
«This is due to the unavailability of the match venue, which is undergoing renovations in preparation for the upcoming CHAN 2024 Competition.»
The postponement underscores Kenya’s ongoing stadium crisis, with limited options for hosting high-profile matches like the Mashemeji Derby. Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, another viable alternative, is also under renovation for CHAN preparations.
Other facilities, such as Bukhungu Stadium, Kasarani Annex, and Afraha Stadium, are either undergoing construction or deemed unfit for such an event.
Speaking to , Sports Kenya Director General Pius Metto highlighted the unavailability of Nyayo Stadium:
«No, Nyayo is not ready. When Leopards make a formal request, I will explain to them why the facility is not available.»
The future of Engin Firat is up in the air in the wake of Kenya's heartbreaking elimination from the 2025 AFCON qualifiers and the ex-captain wants Francis Kimanzi to return.
The lack of a confirmed alternative venue led the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Leagues and Competitions department to officially call off the match.
The Mashemeji Derby postponement is symptomatic of larger issues within Kenyan sports infrastructure. The renovations at Nyayo and Kasarani stadiums come after the country lost hosting rights for previous continental tournaments due to inadequate facilities.
Even the national team, Harambee Stars, had to play its 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification matches abroad because of the same challenges.
The FKF has assured fans that a new date for the 96th edition of the Mashemeji Derby will be announced once a suitable venue is secured.
However, this postponement highlights the urgent need for improved planning and investment in Kenya’s sporting infrastructure, particularly with major events like CHAN 2024 and the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, for which Kenya is a co-host, on the horizon.
