As usual, the mashemeji derby is just as scintillating, as high-stakes, and as nerve-wracking as its always been!
30 minutes in and the bragging rights are certainly up for grabs!
Over the years, however, Gor Mahia has catapulted to greater heights and assumed the mantle of the largest KPL club in the country.
Nevertheless, the Leopards are promising to bring their A-game this time around.
Indeed, there has never been a more glorious, gladiatory, and exhilarating football match on Kenyan soil than this derby.
The fact of the matter is that this should be one of Kenya’s national treasure.
And here are three reasons why…
The Crowds
Kenyan football is infamous for having indifferent crowds. Stadiums are usually half-empty, and the atmosphere can be pretty dull if the game involves middle-tier teams.
On the other hand, the mashemeji derby crowds are always electrified, and this can sometimes spill over the 90-minutes resulting in riots and running battles with the GSU.
The Revenue
The Mashemeji derby pulls in a considerable amount of money, albeit the relatively low ticket prices.
That’s because this derby has a rich history of loyal fans over the years.
There’s no denying that the most popular teams in Kenyan football today are Gor Mahia, AFC Leopards, and to some extent, Tusker FC.
So the big crowds pulled to watch the match, alongside the television rights, result in a lucrative agreement between the two giant clubs.
The Spectacular Football
Last, albeit not least, the tantalizing football witnessed in Mashemeji Derbys can put some of the biggest European clubs to the test.
We’ve seen it all here. The lightning-quick stepovers, the sudden switch in pace and ball-control, not to mention the precision in passing, are some of the reasons why this Derby is a dime in a dozen.
And today’s is no different!