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NFO
AFC Leopards are considering postponing the Mashemeji derby after failing to secure a suitable venue for the high-profile match.
Leopards are scheduled to host bitter rivals Gor Mahia on Sunday November 24 in the first installment of this season’s Mashemeji derby but it appears the match will not take place after the club failed in its attempts to secure Nyayo Stadium.
Both Nyayo and Kasarani Stadiums, the two venues that have traditionally hosted the match, are currently closed for renovation and pleas from the Leopards hierarchy to have Sports Kenya open the former for Sunday’s tie have so far fallen on deaf ears.
AFC Leopards coach Tomas Trucha has admitted feeling the pressure ahead of this weekend’s Mashemeji derby against Gor Mahia while lamenting the challenges his team is facing.
Given the magnitude of the match, Leopards are now left with no option but to postpone the clash as it would be too risky to be played at any other venue in the country, other than Nyayo and Kasarani.
“We have tried to talk to Sports Kenya but the Director General Pius Meto has turned down our pleas to open Nyayo Stadium for the match. We have also tried to reach Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen but we have been directed to Sports Kenya,” a source from Leopards, who sought anonymity, told
“This is a high-profile match which we cannot take to Kisumu, Machakos or any other venue. You saw what happened when they took our match to the Police Sacco Stadium. We do not want a repeat of such. This match can only be played at two pitches; Nyayo or Kasarani,” he added.
Leopards say they have already communicated to Football Kenya Federation to try and convince Sports Kenya to make Nyayo available for the match, but if not, cancel it up to when a suitable venue will be available.
“We are waiting for a clear picture from the federation but for sure, the match will not take place if Nyayo is not available. We are wondering why they cannot open it given that in the past, former CS Ababu Namwamba would open it for high profile matches and then close it to continue the renovation,” added the source.
Leopards and Gor Mahia are badly in need of a positive result after failing to win their last four league matches and the Mashemeji derby was set to provide some respite but it seems they will have to wait a little longer to return to the pitch.
Gor Mahia captain Philemon Otieno and goalkeeper Gad Mathews want to bounce back to winning ways against AFC Leopards as Ingwe host K’Oglao in the Mashemeji derby on Sunday.
