Mashemeji Derby: Gor, Leopards clash at Nyayo

Gor Mahia coach Frank Nuttall (left) shares a light moment with his AFC Leopards counterpart Zdravko Logarusic on August 21, 2015 while watching Kenyan Premier League match between Bandari and Mathare United at the Nyayo National Stadium. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |

What you need to know:

  • Nuttall, 46, an assured and calm tactician, has earned a reputation of picking wins, whether his team plays their beautiful brand of football or scrappily.
  • The same cannot be said of Ingwe who have blown hot and cold this term.
  • Logarusic, 55, dubbed the ‘King of the Mashemeji Derby’, wants to make his name as the man who ended Gor’s unbeaten run.

Gor Mahia coach Frank Nuttall and his AFC Leopards counterpart Zdravko Logarusic shared a rare camaraderie as they followed the match between Nairobi City Stars and Tusker on Friday night at the Nyayo National Stadium.

The two, sitting shoulder-to-shoulder in the main stand, posed for the cameras in locked fists and shared broad smiles and hearty laughter. Later, Logarusic, who has an affinity for publicity, posted the photo on his Facebook Timeline with the caption: “Derby time. Derby mood...it is a great pleasure for the two of us to be the part of it.”

The two may have been “the best of friends” on Friday, however, Sunday afternoon, beginning 3pm, when each takes his position at the touchline, the friendship will be forgotten as each plots the downfall of the other in football. Nuttall, 46, an assured and calm tactician, has earned a reputation of picking wins, whether his team plays their beautiful brand of football or scrappily. The same cannot be said of Ingwe who have blown hot and cold this term.

That aside, Nuttall will be keen to jealously guard his unbeaten run that has stretched to 22 games. And with just eight matches to go, he will be aiming at engraving his name in the club history books as the second coach to have guided the glamour club to an unbeaten run, joining the legendary Allan Thigo who achieved the feat as a player-coach with the mighty Gor squad of 1976.

On the other hand Logarusic, 55, dubbed the ‘King of the Mashemeji Derby’, wants to make his name as the man who ended Gor’s unbeaten run. Upon his return to the team last week after a four-week strike over unpaid salaries and bonuses, the widely travelled coach who formerly handled 14-time champions Gor said:  “I’m glad to be back, the boys made it clear that they wanted me. There are key matches coming; one of them against Gor. I want to end their unbeaten run.” 

PROBABLE LINE UPS

Gor Mahia: Boniface Oluoch , Karim Nizigiyimana, Abouba Sibomana, Musa Mohammed, Harun Shakava, Collins Okoth, Khalid Aucho, Innocent Wafula, Meddie Kagere, Michael Olunga, Godfrey Walusimbi.

AFC Leopards:  Lucas Indeche, Edwin Wafula, Jackson Saleh, Martin Kiiza, Fredrick Ndaaka, Joseph Njuguna, Ivan Anguyo, Timonah Wanyonyi, Patrick Kagogo, Lamine Diallo, Michael Khamati.