Gor Mahia, Leopards clash for chance to play Hull City

All roads lead to Nakuru for the titanic clash pitting eternal foes Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards for Tuesday’s ‘Mashemeji derby’ at the Afraha Stadium.

With bragging rights and a ticket to play English Championship side Hull City at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on May 13 at stake, the 2pm kick-off has all the hallmarks of an epic battle.

Leopards will be seeking to regain the bragging rights following their 1-0 loss to Gor in their last meeting 92 days ago at the same venue.

The two giants, who share 29 league titles between them with Gor winning the gong a record 16 times, faced-off in the 2018 Kenyan Premier League Super Cup with Gor captain Harun Shakava’s lone strike settling the contest.

This will be the 87th meeting between the two teams since their first encounter on May 5, 1968 at the Nairobi City Stadium.

At that time, Gor were about 40 days-old and Leopards four years old, but a brace from William “Chege” Ouma for K’Ogalo rendered Henry Misango’s earlier strike meaningless.

NEW COACH

In their past 86 meetings, Ingwe have won 28 times and Gor 27, with 31 fixtures ending in a draw.

GOtv Shield winners Ingwe are winless in the previous five meetings. They last beat Gor in March 2016 by a solitary  goal to end their rivals’ 35-match unbeaten streak, but have suffered four defeats in past five meetings.

New AFC Leopards coach Rodolfo Zapata confronts his opposite number Dylan Kerr for the first time in a fierce contest, and the Argentine has vowed to emerge victorious.

“Everybody wants to win, I know that’s what the supporters expect and I am going to win, but I believe the way to win is by playing good football,” said the Argentine, who led his side to a 2-2 draw against Vihiga United in his first match on Saturday.

He added: “Derbies are always tough games but with this kind of attitude the boys have shown me, I believe we can avenge previous defeats against Gor.”

Englishman Kerr, whose side threw away a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with Mathare United on Sunday, has been known for rotating his squad but on this, he says he will line up the best even with an away fixture in the Caf Confederation Cup against Rayon Sports of Rwanda on May 6.

“I will pick a team that will win the game bearing in mind we’ve a trip to Rwanda three days later,” he said.

“It will be disrespectful to K’Ogalo faithful if we don’t win both the derby and the Confederation Cup match, hence I will field a team that wants to create chances and score,” concluded Kerr, who is yet to test defeat against a local side this season.

Gor have a full fit squad boosted by the return of Ugandan left back Godfrey Walusimbi, while Ingwe are sweating on the availability of goal poacher Ezekiel Odera.

Odera and midfielder Whyvonne Isuza have scored a combined 12 league goals this season compared to the 10 netted by Gor’s Rwandese duo of Jacques Tuyisenge and Meddie Kagere.