As reported by Austin Oduor Otieno,
Africa has had in the past provided it’s over 1 billion people with a fascinating and thrilling derby across it’s more than 50 countries.
Derbies such as the Cairo derby between Al Ahly vs Zamalek of Egypt have got Egypt and Africa to a standstill, Down South the Soweto derby between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs have left Johannesburg residents in oblivion.
In East Africa, You won’t fail to mention the Nairobi derby christened the Mashemeji derby between AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia. Also the Dar derby between Yanga and Simba together with the one at Kampala between rivals SC Villa and Express.
Sudan’s old City and former capital Omdurman hosts the Al Mereikh and Al Hilal clash while back in West Africa the Hearts of Oak clash against Asante Kotoko provides real rivalry in football, in this case however the two teams are in different cities with Hearts of Oak in Accra and Asante Kotoko in Kumasi.
Other known derbies are the Kitwe derby between Nkana and Power Dynamos, The one in Zimbabwe between CAPS and Highlanders.Asec Mimosa against Africa Sports highlights the Dakar derby while the Cape Town derby enlists Ajax against Santos.
Enugu Rangers vs Enyimba International provides us with another spicy derby in the name of Oriental derby.Wydad Casablanca playing against Raja Casablanca definitely epitomes the Casablanca derby in Morocco.
Well, with much interest today is the Nairobi derby. Others call it the Mashemeji derby while others the East African derby. A recent name ‘The Mollis derby’ has gone viral in the social media but that is for another day.
As we take a look at the two big teams in Kenya and East Africa as large, we highlight some of the memorable matches that the two teams have kept the Kenyans to real entertaining football since the top tier league began in early 60’s.
Since the Kenyan top tier league was found in 1963 when Kenya got independence, under the Kenya Football Association, the two teams have met a record 80 times if I am not wrong.AFC leopards has the highest number of wins putting them on the advantage in matters head to head.Ingwe has beaten Kogallo 28 times while Kogallo on the other side has equally managed 23 wins against Ingwe.They have drawn a record 28 times.
Although in 2012 in the KPL top 8 tournament, Gor Mahia who were destined to meet Leopards in the Top 8 clash got a walkover after the latter boycotted the match.
Before I sample out the memorable matches in situ, a look at the prominent players from each sides in the same matches.
In the late 60’s players like Henry Misango ,Noah Wanyama(father to Southampton’s Victor Wanyama) were so instrumental in the derbies with their crucial goals while current Kisii Senator Chris Obure,William Ouma Chege were a thorn in flesh for Ingwe in the same years.
In the 70’s players we appreciate Ingwe players like Dennis Mwenje while Gor had the likes of Laban Otieno, Morris Ouma nicknamed Ole Tunda and Francis Mudanyi.
The 80’s had the likes of George Yoga,Nahashon Oluoch,John Chole,Sammy Onyango,Hezron Osuka,Charles Otieno for Gor while Leopards had Joe Masiga,Hamisi Shamba,Mike Amwayi,David Akal,Kadenge,John Lukoye,
We sample the most interesting and classical matches in the previous years.
1-1968: Ist derby: AFC Leopards 1-1 Gor Mahia
Arguably the first mashemeji derby if we go by records. Leopards were named Abaluhyia FC
The league was just 5 years old and Abaluhyia had just won the league the previous year. Gor Mahia was just formed the same year before the league kicked off after Luo United and Luo Sports Club united to form Gor Mahia under the then flamboyant Economic planning Minister Tom Mboya.And so it was the first derby with a united Gor.
In that match AFC leopards went ahead with Henry Misango scoring early in the first half before William Ouma nicknamed Chege cancelled the lead to the joy of the kogallo fans
The match ended in a 1-1 draw.
The second leg leg also ended in a 1-1 draw and this time prominent figures today were on the score sheet. Noah wanyama,the father to Southampton’s Victor Wanyama scored Ingwe’s first goal before current Kisii Senator and politician Chris Bourke equalized for Gor Mahia in the dying minutes.
It is important to note that this was the first league title for Gor Mahia in its inception.
2-1975:Derby with the highest score aggregate AFC Leopards 1-5 Gor Mahia
Ist leg of the 1975 league remains one of the worst and disastrous performances by AFC leopards having been humiliated 5-1 by Gor Mahia. This is in fact the highest margin of score line by any team (six goals) and Gor Mahia’s biggest win over their rivals in a derby match.
Gor Mahia had just won the 1974 league and were favourites to win the clash. They had just hired Italian Peter Pampuro as head coach. The coach who established the first youth club under Eric Omwango proved critics wrong when in his first derby outclassed Ingwe by 5-1.A match that saw Laban Otieno score a hat trick with Morris Ouma ‘Ole Tunda’ and Francis Mudanyi scoring one each for the famous win. Dennis Mwenje scored Leopards consolation.
In that year Gor finished a shocking second to Luo union who ironically tied on points with Gor before the last matches, Abaluhyia now AFC conspired with Luo Union to lose the match gifting the rival club the league crown.
3-1980: Cecafa club final-AFC Leopards 2- 3 Gor Mahia
This derby was played away from home and so most people called it ‘derby relocated to Malawi’
Gor had just won the 1979 league that was decided on the last day where Gor Mahia was just a point ahead of Luo Union whom they were to meet in the final match. Andrew Obunga scored to win it for Gor.
They came a rejuvenated side when the two teams met in the CECAFA club championships final match
Gor beat AFC leopards 3-2 with George Yoga, John Chole and Nahashon Oluoch nicknamed Lule scoring for Gor while Joe Masiga then a university student scoring a brace for Ingwe.
A year later,AFC overcame Gor beating them 3-1 with Masiga scoring a brace and Hamisi Shamba with another with Gor Mahia’s consolation coming via Sammy Onyango.
4-1984:Cecafa Final match- AFC leopards 2-1 Gor Mahia
This derby was also the final match of the CECAFA club championships that was played in Kenya.
A year that began with Gor Mahia playing a high profile friendly match with Swedish top side Schaffhausen drawing 1-1.Hezbon Omollo scored the equalizer and striker Abdallah Shebe impressed the visitors and went on to play in Switzerland.
Ironically Gor’s real test was the CECAFA final where Mike Amwayi and Joe Masiga silenced the huge crowd with their early goals that saw Ingwe beat Gor to lift the Cecafa tourney.Sammy Onyango scored Gor’s consolation.
Gor Mahia however got the chance to participate in the 1985 Cecafa in Sudan.
6-1985:’Khartoum 85’Gor Mahia 2-0. AFC Leopards
‘Derby relocated to Sudan’ in the name of CECAFA club championships,
The two teams once again prove their supremacy in the East and central African region when they withered the storm to reach the final. Gor were however serving a CAF ban and came with a weaker team as 6 of the top players including the coach were serving match ban.
Maurice Ochieng stepped in as the caretaker coach and the final match saw them battle defending champions AFC leopards in Omdurman.
Kogallo managed to produce a spectacular coup beating AFC leopard’s 2-0.William Obwaka a new signing and younger brother of regular Enock Obwaka scored in the 35th and 89th minutes in the Khartoum 85.
The following year just to mention saw AFC leopards recover to get a double over Kogallo winning both home and away matches. They beat Gor Mahia in the first leg by 2-1 with Mike Amwayi and David Akal scoring as Sammy Onyango scored the consolation, the second leg Leopards won 3-2
7-Three derbies unfold in 1987
The first derby was the first leg of the league match where Gor Mahia beat AFC leopards 0-1 away courtesy of a Peter Dawo goal.This derby was played in October 20th as Gor prepared for their semi-final CAF clash.The match was destined for a goalless draw before Gor Mahia coach Jack Johnson brought in Ben oloo ‘Breakdance’ who ironically ‘danced’ past ingwe full back Wycliff anyangu and fed lethal Peter Dawo who scored.
This is the year Gor won the Mandela cup and Peter Dawo who was the top scorer in the Mandela cup was named in the top 10 best African players.
The second leg ended in a 2-2 draw with Francis kadenge and John Lukoye scoring for Leopards and Hezron Osuka scoring a brace for Gor
The two teams met for the third time in the same year and it was the Moi Golden Cup final where Gor easily beat AFC leopards 2-0 with Charles Otieno and Peter Dawo scoring the goals.
Gor also won the League and the continental CAF winners’ Cup.
1990s-Derby Matches, a pale shadow of itself
The early 90’s saw the influence of the two big clubs fade due to financial problems and so the subsequent derbies were watched by a handful.
The 1991 derby was played in the new Kasarani Stadium and Gor lined up the likes of Jared ochieng’, Allan Odhiambo,Charles Omondi ‘Korea’ who was a goalkeeper and current Rangers coach Zedekiah Otieno.Gor beat AFC leopards 2-0 but Ingwe recovered in the second leg to beat Gor Mahia 2-1 courtesy of Tony Lwanga and Kitali Ngaira with Tom Odhiambo scoring Gor’s consolation.
In 1994 in the second leg,Francis Oduor’s brace silenced Gor mahia while the 1996 derby which was the second leg match saw David ‘Deo’ Odhiambo and joseph Wekesa score each to help Ingwe beat gor Mahia 2-1.Dan Ogada scored Gor’s consolation.
In 1997, players like Victor onyango,Tillen Ogutta,Frazier Ochieg,Dan Ogada,Steve okumu,steve odiaga and Bonventure Maruti were so instrumental for Kogallo and their presence started attracting a few fans.Infact the derby match played in 1997/98 which was the first leg was well attended.AFC who won the league and their last in that year beat Gor Mahia 2-0 with Fred Ambani and Philip Ouma scoring the goals.
2000 and beyond saw the regrowth of the derby
As Kenyan football started growing with the national team doing well.The derby started gaining momentum.
In 2003 Kenyan league,AFC leopards registered a 3-2 victory over Gor mahia in the second leg of the league with the likes of Dickson Amalo,Ramadhan Balala and Farid Ahmed scoring for Ingwe while Patrick oyiengo and Emmanuel Wakali for Gor.
The first leg of the same year saw Ken Oliech,brother to International Denis Oliech scoring the winner.
In 2005, AFC leopards lost 0-1 to Gor with Ken Oliech scoring the decisive goal.
2006-2008-Derby missed by faithful’s as Ingwe played in second tier
And in 2006, AFC Leopards got relegated from the top tier and for two years the country missed the derby.The nation missed the 2006 and 2007 derby and in 2009 when Ingwe got back to the league under Robert Matano they lost 3-2 to Gor Mahia with the likes of Zablon Otieno ‘Pro’ and Habil Otieno scoring while Francis Xavier scoring a brace for Ingwe.
However AFC rcovered in the second leg to beat Gor Mahia courtesy of Obadiah Ndege.
2010 and beyond-Fans begin filling the stadiums
From 2010 when giant pay television Supersport came on board to air live matches,the derby was not left either.infact all the derby matches were aired since then.
Fans started trickling to the stadium and the derby matches began being so much interesting.
In 2011, The first leg was won by Gor Mahia with Ochomo ,Dimonde selenge and Dan Makori scoring for a 3-1 scoreline,Mike baraza scored the consolation while the second leg was won by AFC leopars.A massive 3-0 scoreline with veteran Charles Okwemba,Mike Baraza and Laurent Tumba scoring.This is infact the heaviest loss for Gor at the hands of AFC leopards.
In 2012 the frst leg ended goalless while Gor won the second leg 2-1 with dan Sserunkuma scoring a brace and Mike Baraza with the consolation,The same year Gor were awared a walkover in the KPL top 8 after Ingwe refused to participate.Gor went on to eliminate Ingwe 2-1 in the FKF semi final with Kevin Omondi and Moses Odhiambo scoring each and Charles Okwemba with the lone goal
In 2013,Dan Sserunkuma’s goal gifted Gor Mahia a 1-0 first leg victory but Ingwe went on to revenge with a class 2-0 performance from Paul Were and Noah Wafula .The same 2013 former Gor Mahia mid-engine Peter Opiyo scored the winning goal as Leopards edged Gor 1-0 to lift the Gotv Cup.
Last year AFC Leopards had an edge over Gor Mahia,despite the latter lifting the league.AFC leopards beat Gor Mahia 3-1 in the first leg with Jacob Keli now at Nkana,Charles Okwemba and Benard Mangoli scoring each while Timonah Wanyoyi now at Leopards scored Gor’s consolation.
The second leg ended 2-2 with Dan Sserunkuma rescuing Kogallo after Noah Wafula and Martin Imbalambala scored early for Ingwe.
This year,the two teams meet for the second time after the first leg ended 1-1.In the first leg,Ali Abondo put Gor on the lead while Jacob Keli who is at Nkana equalizing after a fine pass from troublesome Emmanuel Ngama who is at tusker.
The two teams meet today at 3pm East African time with Gor mahia hot favourites,unbeaten in the league 13 points clear at the top and with the menest defense and lethal strikers.
Gor just recently finished second in the Cecafa Kagame cup losing 2-0 to Azam
Gor Mahia probable line up
Boniface Oluoch,Musa Mohammed, Karim Nzigiyimana,Abouba Sibomana,Innocent Wafula,Collins Okoth,Haron Shalala,Meddie Lagers, Godfrey Walusimbi,Michael Olunga and Khalid Aucho.
Probable line up for Leopards
Lucas Indeche,Edwin Wafula,Jackson Saleh,F.Ndaaka,Martin Kiiza,Joseph Njuguna,Ivan Anguyo,Benard Mangoli,Mike Klamath, Khalid Jumaan and
