By Bonface Osano,

One of the biggest derbies in Africa the Nairobi derby also known as ‘Mashemeji Derby’ will be taking place this Sunday April 12, 2015 at the Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi.

AFC Leopards will be hosting bitter rivals and reigning KPL champions Gor Mahia in a KPL fixture that may just shape the 2015 season; and the online ‘war’ from both sets of fans is not cooling down any soon, the atmosphere is a mixture of tension, excitement, buoyancy and apprehension.

The battle is fought on the social media platform which is awash with posts and tweets of varied feelings plus bare knuckle banter, with both sides trying to outdo each other on who is the best and who will carry home the bragging rights, sample these:

‘My only worry is if Ingwe supporters will allow the game to go on after our third goal’ Gor fan Mheshimiwa Benard Omondi.

‘Even if Gor Mahia fails to turn up on Sunday for Mashemeji Derby, still there is no chance for AFC Leopards winning this match we are Sirkal (government)’ Tom Bwana another Gor fan.

‘Ingwe is always ready for Gor we will fry them’ Seda Ambeyi, AFC Leopards supporter.

‘A leopard does not lose its spots on account of heavy rains’ Leopards supporter Caxton.

The two coaches on the other hand are taking matters easy, cool and calm perhaps they don’t want fans’ mood to affect their preparations and pile pressure on their charges.

K’Ogalo coach Frank Nuttal was quoted saying the derby will be special while also trying to downplay its significance;

‘It’s going to be a special day of football for both players and fans because all of them have been looking forward for this derby. But then again, it’s just another league match with only three points at stake.’

Ingwe coach Zdravko Logarusic believes he is up to the task ahead despite their opponent enjoying top form currently;

‘Gor Mahia is enjoying great form but derbies are interesting and are not about form; my job at leopards is to ensure that we win and I want to win on Sunday.’

On paper, Gor Mahia look the better of the two, K’Ogalo has not lost a match this season winning all their last 4 fixtures, scoring at a rate of at least 2 goals per match and are currently the league leaders with 12 points; the forward line consisting of Meddie Kagere, Michael ‘Midusa’ Olunga, and Victor ‘Teargas’ Abondo have been terrorizing defense of opponents scoring goals at will, and they will be relied upon to continue delivering on Sunday.

AFC Leopards league run has so far not been up to scratch and they will be banking on the experience of their coach in this derby to see them emerge tops; coach Logarusic while at Gor Mahia managed 3 wins and 1 draw and this will be his 5^th but this time on the other side.

Players to watch on the Ingwe side include; Strikers Emmanuel Ngama, Austin Ikenna and attacking midfielder and former Gor Mahia player Timmonah Wanyonyi. Leopards are sixth in the KPL log with 8 points from 5 matches.

Ingwe also brag of one advantage over their foes in that of the last 76 past encounters, they have managed to beat Gor 26 times, 5 times more with the rest being draws; the only common factor between the two being that the two sides are struggling financially and have been having headache paying players salary and allowances.

Match kicks off at 1500 EAT and will beam live across Africa courtesy of Supersport channel 219.

Prediction: AFC Leopards 1-3 Gor Mahia

Find me on twitter @bonfaceosano

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