Originally scheduled for November 30th at Kasarani Stadium, the Mashemeji derby was rescheduled due to logistical issues. This match marks the 98th derby between Kenya’s top league teams in history.

Both teams enter the derby with mixed results from their initial top-flight matches. Gor Mahia currently leads the 18-team Premier League table with 19 points from nine games, AFC Leopards stand in sixth place with 14 points from the same number of matches.

Gor Mahia, commonly referred to as K’Ogalo, have recorded six wins, one draw, and two losses, while AFC Leopards, known as Ingwe, have achieved three victories, five draws, and one defeat.

As of 2025, Gor Mahia holds a record 21 Kenyan Premier League titles, whereas AFC Leopards have won the league 12 times. Both clubs are now based in Nairobi but originally hail from the Western region. This rivalry is the oldest in Kenyan football history.

‘It’s a contest between David and Goliath’

In the last five league encounters, AFC Leopards have beaten Gor Mahia once. That win came during the 2022-23 season when Ingwe scored through Maxwell Otienoand Victor Omune to secure a 2-1 victory.

Since then, four matches have either favored Gor Mahia or ended in draws. In the 2023/24 season, Gor Mahia bounced back to claim a double over AFC Leopards, winning the first game 2-0 and the return fixture 1-0.

Former AFC Leopards tough and uncompromising defender Reginald Asibwa is confident his former team can claim full points from the derby by avoiding early concessions during the match.

“Primarily, the pressure lies on Gor Mahia; they have many national team players and are favorites to win. From the start, it’s a David versus Goliath battle,” Asibwa told Flashscore from his base in England.

“However, AFC Leopards can win this derby by firstly not allowing early goals and secondly by disrupting Gor Mahia’s play with defensive tactics.

“You saw how Chelsea handled Arsenal in the Premier League derby on Sunday — man-to-man marking, no space to breathe. I believe the coach and technical staff should show confidence in the team.

“I haven’t seen any media statements from either side, but in our time, our secretary general Maxwell Shamalla used to address the media, declaring Ingwe ready to face Gor Mahia anywhere, even at Pand Pieri in Kisumu. That confidence spread to the players, preparing us fully for the challenge.

“If our players are fearful, it will be a tough game. But if they stay calm, confident, and take inspiration from what APS Bomet did to Gor Mahia, they can achieve the same.”

When asked to predict the derby’s outcome, Asibwa said: “What I know is that AFC Leopards is a relatively younger side with less experience and exposure, but their results have been slightly above average.

“Meanwhile, Gor Mahia lost to Bidco United in the season opener and recently to APS Bomet, showing that on a good day, AFC Leopards can also defeat them.

“Actually, the last time they met at Gor Mahia’s ground in the former Nyanza region, the game ended in a draw. It’s an open derby, and in derbies worldwide, current form often matters less.”

Asibwa added: “The derby’s result depends on the mindset upon arrival; travel or recent form don’t determine the winner. When we played, our Kakamega High School coach, the late Chris Makokha, told us: ‘God is fair; He gives chances to both sides, and whoever capitalizes wins.’”

He went on about AFC Leopards’ recent struggles against Gor Mahia: “I think they’ve lost because they enter these derbies defeated mentally. The fear within the squad has contributed to their losses, especially in recent years.

“Derbies should be evenly matched, as they used to be.”

Asibwa concluded: “I also feel AFC players lack the proper mindset to truly understand what it means to represent the club. Our first challenge was living up to our nickname; you had to play like your nickname.

“The Isikuti drumbeats carried meaning, with three drums. When the smaller drum played, it signaled intensifying efforts to score. Players understood this and adjusted their playing rhythm accordingly.”

Last season, both derby matches ended without a winner. The first, hosted by AFC Leopards, finished 0-0, while the second round ended 1-1. Gor Mahia took the lead through Harambee Stars midfielder Austin Odhiambo before Ingwe equalized via Bernard Wanyama.