By Kevin Lukorito,
The long awaited clash between two major football clubs in Kenyan AFC leopards and Gor Mahia will be witnessed this Sunday in one of the biggest derbies in East Africa.
Both clubs do recognise each other as arch-rivals .Gor are the defending champions of Kenya Premier League while Ingwe are fifth on the Log.The Nairobi derby also known as Meshemeji derby will be played on Sunday 22 July 2018 at Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi and it will be the 83rd meeting between the two sides.
Kogalo have won 16 premier League titles ,10 Presidents cup, 3 super cup and 2 Top 8 trophies thus a total of 31 trophies domestically While Leopards have 13 premier league titles on their name 9 presidents cup thus 22 trophies in their cabinet.
In Africa Leopards have 5 Cecafa club cup while Gor Mahia have 5 cecafa club cup and one cup winners cup.
Gor Mahia and Leopards became rivals in the year 1968.On 23rd March 2012, Gor fans had a riot when Maestro midfielder Ali Abondo was red carded after a dangerous tackle with Amon Muchiri of Leopards which resulted to Gor being banned by sports stadia management board from using their facilities for rest of 2012 season .
In the year 2011 , Leopards fans had caused riot abandoning an FKF cup quarter final demanding the linesman to be investigated after Gor’s goal from Moses Odhiambo.
On average both teams have scored 2.27goals per match. On Sunday’s big match of the season in Kenya Premier League , some of the players that will be relied upon by Gor Mahia and Leopards respectively.
Head To Head
AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia have met 82 times in the KPL with the former winning 27 times and the latter 24 times. Leopards have scored 74 goals against Gor’s 70.
The two last met in KPL on August 27, 2017 in a match that ended in a 1-1 draw.
Overall the two have clashed 96 times in all competitions with Ingwe winning 32 times against K’Ogalo’s 31 victories with former scoring 83 goals compared to the latter’s 87.
The recent meeting between the two was in January this year in the KPL Super Cup which Gor won 1-0 to bag the season’s curtain raiser.
Gor are currently top of the KPL 49 points, 13 off fifth placed Leopards with four matches to spare.
Leopards current form in the past five outings stands at DWLDW compared to Gor’s WWWWW over the same number of games.
Gor Mahia Players to watch:
Shaban Odhoji:
He has been an excellent goal keeper after proving on Wednesday against Yanga with a clean sheet .
Harun Shakava:
He has faced Leopards twice as the team captain and never lost or conceded .
Humphrey Mieno:
Former Sofapaka midfielder has proved his worth in the team by earning man of the award against Yanga on Wednesday.
Samuel Onyango:
He was among the key players who won on wednesday.
Ephraim Guikan:
He hit a brace against Yanga .The Ivorian is a hard worker in front of a goal thus this earned him a brace on Wednesday.
AFC Leopards players to watch:
Ezekiel Owade:
Owade has managed to keep Adira Jairus Out .He commands his defenders and ensure they do do not make silly mistakes.
Victor Majid:
Majid is known to provide cover in the back while tackling the opponent.
Brian Marita:
His effort has given him a starting time at leopards .When a chance comes by he ensures that he hits back of the net.
Whyvonne Isuza:
Isuza will be back from suspension .He is known for his pass and moves .He is also known for scoring goals when chances are created .
Ezekiel Odera:
He is known for Shots, passes which are accurate .Former City Stars will want to leave a legacy behind since this will be his first derby at Leopards.
AFC Leopards coach,Rodolfo Zapata is hailed as the man capable of challenging Gor Mahia dominance in the Sportpesa premier league while his counterpart Kerr claims that the ball is in players court .
Both Gor and Leopards fans are yearning to have a glimpse of Sundays mouth watering match.
