Mashemeji Derby: Five memorable moments in AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia rivalry

© AFC Leopards

FKFPL Mashemeji Derby: Five memorable moments in AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia rivalry

Kiplagat Sang 13:30 - 11.05.2023

Pulse Sports looks back and brings forth events that are more outstanding about Kenya’s famous club rivalry.

Mashemeji Derby Day is around the corner yet again as Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards are set to clash on Sunday at Nyayo Stadium.

This is the biggest club football event in the country, as it pits the two most popular teams that have also earned varied success since their inceptions.

Although the derby terrain has been heavily tilted towards Gor Mahia in the recent past, it remains a popular event given that both teams enjoy massive followings.

Ingwe have been waiting for a league win over K’Ogalo since 2016 and have come close to getting it in recent games.

Will the 12-time Premier League winners – who last lifted a league trophy in 1998 – register a victory this time around?

While pondering over that question, what are, then, the derby’s memorable moments?

Big win for AFC Leopards

The last win big for AFC Leopards against Gor Mahia came in the 2014 season.

In the first match of that term, Ingwe defeated their arch-rivals 3-1 when Charles Okwemba, Bernard Mang’oli, and Jacob Keli scored.

Timonah Wanyonyi – who is among the players to have featured for both Ingwe and K’Ogalo – scored the only goal for Gor Mahia in that encounter.

Kipkirui’s big day

Although he might not be considered as one of the greatest ever strikers to don Gor Mahia’s jersey, Kipkirui made history as one of the players to have scored a Mashemeji Derby brace.

The former Zoo FC striker managed to register that piece of history on May 19, 2019, when he scored in either half as Gor Mahia went on to win 3-1.

The other goal was scored by Jacques Tuyisenge.

2006 goalless draws

It is in that season that none of the Mashemeji clubs managed to bag the bragging rights.

Both matches in the first and second rounds ended in 0-0 draws, and neither Leopards nor Gor Mahia managed to win the league, as Sony Sugar ended up being champions of that season.

AFC Leopards' relegation

The year 2007 was a period of anguish and pain for Leopards fans as the club was relegated to the second tier.

That means fans missed the Mashemeji derby as the traditional rivals played in two different divisions.

With Ingwe battling opponents in the second tier, K’Ogalo were unable to win the Premier League title as Tusker emerged champions.

Leopards earn walkover

In 2005, Gor Mahia did a rare thing; they failed to show up for a second-round match, and that meant the Leopards were handed a 2-0 win and points.

However, in the first round, Gor Mahia were 1-0 winners, courtesy of a goal scored by Ken Oliech.