The Mashemeji derby had initially been scheduled for November 30th, at Kasarani Stadium but logistical challenges forced a change in plans. This will be the 98th derby pitting Kenya’s top teams in the history of the league.
The two teams will head into the derby with mixed results from opening matches in the top-flight. While Gor Mahia are currently sitting top of the 18-team Premier League table with 19 points from nine matches, AFC Leopards are placed sixth with 14 points from the same number of outings.
Gor Mahia, popularly known as K’Ogalo, have won six matches, drawn one and lost two, while AFC Leopards, nicknamed Ingwe, have registered three wins, five draws and lost one contest.
As of 2025, Gor Mahia has won the Kenyan Premier League a record 21 times, while AFC Leopards have 12 league titles to their name. Both teams are currently based in the capital, Nairobi, but originate from the Western region. It is the oldest rivalry in Kenyan football history.
‘It is a battle of David and Goliath’
During the last five meetings in the league, AFC Leopards have managed to beat Gor Mahia once. The fixture was played during the 2022/23 campaign when Ingwe scored through Maxwell Otieno, and Victor Omune to triumph 2-1.
Since then, four fixtures have either gone in Gor Mahia's favour or produced draws. In 2023/24, Gor Mahia recovered to seal a double over AFC Leopards, winning the first meeting 2-0, before registering a 1-0 win in the reverse fixture.
Former AFC Leopards hard-tackling, no-nonsense defender Reginald Asibwa believes his former club can go home with maximum points from the derby if they manage to avoid conceding early goals during the contest.
“First and foremost the pressure is on Gor Mahia, they have an avalanche of players in the national team and are poised to win. It is a battle of David and Goliath from the onset,” Asibwa told Flashscore from his base in England.
“Nevertheless, AFC Leopards can easily win this derby by one not conceding a goal in the early stages of the game and two by frustrating Gor Mahia with anti-football tactics.
“You saw what Chelsea did to Arsenal in the Premier League derby on Sunday, man-to-man marking, no breathing space and l think the coach and the technical bench body language should depict confidence in the playing unit.
“I haven’t read any article in the media from both camps but during our days, our then secretary general, Maxwell Shamalla, used to call the media to tell them that Ingwe was ready to play Gor Mahia anywhere, including Pand Pieri in Kisumu. This confidence trickled into the playing unit, making us ready and up to the task.
“If our players have the fear in their stomach then it will be a very difficult game. But if our players remain calm, play with confidence and even have a look at what APS Bomet did to Gor Mahia, they can as well do it.”
Asked to predict the outcome of the derby, Asibwa responded: “The only thing I know is that AFC Leopards is relatively a younger team with less experience and exposure but they have posted slightly above average results.
“On the other hand, Gor Mahia were beaten by Bidco United in the season opener and recently by APS Bomet which is a clear indication that on a good day AFC Leopards can too bring them down.
“In fact the last time they played, the match was at Gor Mahia compound in the former Nyanza which ended in a share of the spoils. It is an open derby and for derbies worldwide, form takes a back seat.”
Asibwa continued: “The derby will be decided on arrival, how one travels or form isn’t the marking scheme to determine the winner. During our playing time, our coach at Kakamega High school the late Chris Makokha used to tell us; “God is not mean, he will give you chances and also give the opponent their chances, and whoever makes use of the chances will carry the day.”
He continued on AFC Leopards’ poor run of results against Gor Mahia in recent years: “I think they (AFC) have done so because they have gone into this derbies dead before being killed, the fear in the playing unit has contributed to the team losing especially in recent years.
“Derbies are supposed to be even as they used to be.”
Asibwa concluded: “I also think that AFC players lack that orientation to help acquaint themselves with what it really means to play for the club. Our first hurdle was basically your nickname, you had to play like your nickname.
“The Isikuti drumbeats came with significance, the three drums. When the smaller drum was played, it meant that you intensified your movements in search of a goal. Players understood that and changed the rhythm of play too.”
Last season, the fixture did not produce a winner in the two rounds. The first, which was hosted by AFC Leopards, ended in a 0-0 before the second round finished 1-1. Gor Mahia had taken the lead courtesy of Harambee Stars midfielder Austin Odhiambo before Ingwe drew level through Bernard Wanyama.
