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AFC Leopards host Gor Mahia in the Mashemeji Derby on Sunday but it is wise to remind the two teams how this fixture can quickly turn tragic going by what happened in the past.
The dust is still just settling on the ugly incidents witnessed at Nyayo National Stadium during Harambee Stars’ World Cup qualifier against Gabon.
On Sunday March 23, 2025, thousands of fans turned up at Nyayo Stadium to witness Kenya’s first competitive home match since November 2021 and the excitement was evident especially after earlier reports that the game was sold out.
As such, a large crowd was expected but what happened left a lot to be desired as several others made their way into the stadium without tickets.
While just about 22,000 tickets were made available for sale, the stadium was full to the brim with thousands of non-ticket holders making their way into the match venue.
This happened after fans broke down two entry points and forced their way into the stadium after overwhelming security personnel.
However, a part of reports of muggings after the match, there were no major incidents but it was a major security risk that could even see Kenya face sanctions.
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When Mashemeji Derby turned tragic
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But nearly 15 years ago, another such incident happened at Nyayo Stadium and some fans who attempted to force their way into the match venue during the Mashemeji Derby were not so lucky.
On October 23, 2010, Gor Mahia hosted bitter rivals AFC Leopards at Nyayo Stadium and like it has always been, the match attracted thousands of fans from Kenya’s two most supported teams.
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However, what should have been a great sporting event turned into a tragic scene, one that the country had perhaps never witnessed before, and one it seems not to have learnt from.
Fans gathered at the stadium where tickets for the match were being sold on match day.
The 7pm kick off saw fans scramble to get tickets before the match began but at the gates, it took some time to verify the tickets before spectators were allowed in.
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The wait took longer for some fans and when they noticed that the match had kicked off before they got in, they got impatient, opting to force their way into the stadium. Soon, there was some pushing and shoving at one entry point where the gate was brought down and a stampede ensued.
It led to panic among the fans who were at that particular gate and while some ran away, others could not as they got crashed during the stampede, leading to the death of at least seven fans, while at least 30 fans were injured, 14 critically, according to Al Jazeera.
The match was halted for about 10 minutes, after the referee had been notified, what was happening midway through the contest but it continued after, and Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno’s team won 1-0.
However, a sombre mood engulfed the stadium at full time when those inside learnt of what had happened as sounds of ambulance sirens replaced the cheering in the stands.
Any Mashemeji Derby lessons learnt?
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It was a reminder of how poor planning from those in charge and bad behaviour from fans can quickly turn a festival into a funeral and after what happened on Sunday, it seems Kenyans have not learnt.
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Nyayo Stadium will host another big match again this weekend as AFC Leopards welcome Gor Mahia in a rescheduled Mashemeji Derby on Sunday March 30 and going by what was witnessed last week, there is hope that key lessons have been learnt that will avert another ugly incident.
AFC Leopards, who are the home team, have announced that tickets will be sold online but the verification process and how fans get into the stadium is what will make the difference between Sunday March 23 and Sunday March 30.
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