Date with destiny in city derby
What you need to know:
- No other time does the local football league capture the imagination of football lovers than when old rivals AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia meet
- The daily newspapers have heightened the fever of this clash with extended coverage while social media sites, as they always do, have allowed free exchange of verbal taunts from either divide that makes Saturday's encounter a combustible heap
- On the pitch, Gor, surely, start as favourites. They are on the up swing with a nine-match unbeaten run that has seen them collect 21 points from a possible 27
- In contrast, Leopards’ form has dipped alarmingly. Just five points secured out of a possible 15 in their last five assignments illustrates the slide
Battle of the titans; Clash of the giants; The derby; Kenya’s biggest club football encounter... The descriptions could continue.
No other time does the local football league capture the imagination of football lovers than when old rivals AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia meet.
This has been the case from independence day when the two giants of Kenyan club football met. Like it or hate it, adore them or abhor them, these two clubs remain the only genuine crowd-pulling forces in the Tusker Premier League.
It will be no different on Saturday when the two lock horns in their reverse fixture at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, from 3pm.
The daily newspapers have heightened the fever of this clash with extended coverage while social media sites, as they always do, have allowed free exchange of verbal taunts from either divide that makes Saturday's encounter a combustible heap.
For a start, both teams are chasing the title. Leopards stand in position two on the table with 45 points, two more than third-placed Gor. A win for either side will see them dislodge Tusker from the summit of the table, a prospect both coaches are straining on their leashes to accomplish.
“At this stage we have to win and maintain a gap with the competing sides. We have a good team and this is possible,” said AFC Leopards coach Jan Koop.
Attracted capacity crowd
“Our destiny is in our hands. We want to continue applying the pressure. The bird is not in our cage but we are targeting it,” said Gor Mahia coach Zdravko Lugarusic.
But this clash goes beyond the three crucial points. It is an encounter that is expected to showcase the country’s resurging club football. The first leg held at Nyayo Stadium March 18 attracted a near capacity crowd. It ended in a barren draw but will be remembered for the violent incidents from fans that blighted what would have been a wonderful afternoon of football.
Sadly, this has not been the first time violence has visited the stadium when this two sides meet. The league body has a zero tolerance on hooliganism and that policy will again be severely tested on Saturday with so much at stake.
On the pitch, Gor, surely, start as favourites. They are on the up swing with a nine-match unbeaten run that has seen them collect 21 points from a possible 27.
In contrast, Leopards’ form has dipped alarmingly. Just five points secured out of a possible 15 in their last five assignments illustrates the slide.
Gor will parade striker Dan Sserunkuma. Acquired in this leg of the league, the Ugandan has proved to be a gem, scoring regularly for the charging Gor.
AFC wary of Ugandan
Leopards will particularly be wary of the Ugandan hit man who scored a brace to inspire his old club Nairobi City Stars to a 3-0 against the big cats in first leg encounter.
Sserunkuma has formed a good partnership with another blossoming player, Rama Salim that will poise problems to the Leopards defence.
Leopards will miss right back Edwin Wafula through suspension but welcome back their defensive rock Eric Masika. Up front, Allan Wanga, Mike Baraza and Paul Were will lead a three-prong Leopards attack. Who will blink first? The ingredients indicate a tight match that may very well prove decisive in the league race.
