The 1998 Kenyan Premier League champions AFC Leopards grabbed a famous 2-1 victory to end a seven-year winless run against their perennial rivals Gor Mahia.
The Sunday’s win at a vibrant Nyayo National Stadium marked the first time Leopards beat K’Ogalo in a league match since March 2016.
Good luck looked to be going the Ingwee way in the initial stages of the 93 Mashemeji Derby edition as Gor Mahia striker Benson Omala, red-hot league’s top scorer missed from the penalty spot twenty six minutes of play to hand the home an early lead.
Harambee Stars debutant Victor Omune made no mistake from the spot to put AFC Leopards ahead nine minutes after Omala’s miss.
As the lively Ingwee fans were still celebrating Omune’s opener, Austin Odhiambo rose highest to head in an inch perfect Dennis Ng’ang’a corner kick to draw Gor Mahia level.
Maxwell Otieno directed his free header into the back post of K’Ogalo in the 42nd minute, a massive goal that separated the two sides on a Sunday afternoon in Kenya’s capital.
The defeat dented Gor Mahia’s campaign of winning their twentieth league title as they were left trailing Tusker by one point.
Starting XI
Gor Mahia
Gad Mathew (GK), Philemon Otieno, Geoffrey Ochieng, Sylvester Owino, Dennis Ng’ang’a, Ernest Wendo, Boniface Omondi, Alpha Onyango, Benson Omala, Austin Odhiambo, Peter Lwasa.
AFC Leopards
Levis Opiyo(GK), Peter Thiong’o, Lewis Bandi, Washington Munene, Kayci Odhiambo, Musa Oudo, Maxwell Otieno, Moses Lukhumwa, Omune Victor, Mukangula Eugene, Jaffari Owiti
Managers from both sides have aired their respective sentiments as record Kenyan Premier League champions Gor Mahia and their eternal nemesis AFC Leopards meet in a crunchy Mashemeji Derby at Nyayo Stadium on Sunday.
The particular cracker which pits the two most successful clubs in Kenya’s football history comes at a time when it matters the most to league leaders Gor Mahia unlike the ninenth-placed Leopards.
K’Ogalo will be seeking to grab maximum points against Ingwee to maintain their top of the table status and reduce the pressure piled up on them by second-placed Tusker FC. Gor Mahia are leading the FKF Premier League charts with 63 points in 29 outings, two ahead of title-chasing Tusker who have also played 29 matches this season.
On the other hand, AFC Leopards in ninenth position will have less pressure other than trying to break their winless jinx against Gor Mahia since 2016. The first leg meeting between the two FKF Premier League giants ended in a barren draw at the same facility on January 29, 2023.
In their previous league assignments, Gor Mahia were held to a 0-0 stalemate by Wazito FC in Muhoroni while AFC Leopards rallied to beat Nzoia Sugar 1-0 at Nyayo Stadium.
Speaking ahead of the eye-catching encounter, Gor Mahia coach Johnathan Mckinstry is keen on getting maximum points from the derby even as he understands it will not be an easy task playing their arch rivals with points and bragging rights at stake.
“The boys are eager. We’re going in there wanting the three points, but we will have to work for them,” the former Uganda Cranes coach said.
On his part, AFC Leopards tactician Patrick Aussems has hinted at rotating his squad with an eye on the league cup semis against Kakamega Homeboyz as Ingwee surrender the FKF Premier League title race.
“I only have 19 players in the group, and I want everyone to be fit until the end of the season. Some of them did not play a lot in the last few weeks, and I have decided to give them minutes. I will keep changing the team for the league games, including the derby, because we want to have a ready team for the Cup game,” he stated.
Meanwhile, home side Gor Mahia have released the Mashemeji Derby ticketing information. VIP tickets will go for KES 500 while regular tickets will be sold at KES 200.
The last Mashemeji Derby was arguably well attended as fans are urged to fill Nyayo Stadium during Kenya’s biggest football fixture of the 2022/2023 calendar this Sunday.
Cliff Nyakeya scored as former Kenyan Premier League champions AFC Leopards were held to a 1-1 draw by league side Talanta FC on Saturday at Nairobi’s Camp Toyoyo grounds.
Ingwee also played to a barren stalemate against Ulinzi Stars last Sunday at the refurbished Nyayo National Stadium as the side gears up ahead of the 2022/23 Football Kenya Federation Premier League season slated for next month.
Football Kenya Federation Premier League club AFC Leopards has renewed contracts of key players as the new season beckons.
Club assistant captain Peter Thiong’o has extended his stay with Ingwe. Thiong’o has been a key member of the squad since joining the 1998 KPL champions from Kakamega Homeboys in November 2020.He has signed a new one year contract with the club.
“I’m happy to renew my contract with this great team. I am looking forward to deliver the my best to the team. I really appreciate all the support from our wonderful fans ; hoping for more of it next season”, Peter Thiongoo said.
Washington Munene has also extended his stay with the AFC Leopards. This will be the defender’s third season with the club after joining the side from Wazito FC.He has penned a one year extension with the Leopards. Munene scored three goals last season for the Patrick Aussems’s charges.
“I love this club and I feel like part of this family. Definitely pleased to have extended my stay here.I want to continue at this amazing club very excited for the future.” Munene said.
AFC Leopards has reached an agreement with Kenyan International Cliff Nyakeya to extend his stay at the club. The speedy winger joined the FKF Premier League bigwigs in March on a short term deal from Wazito FC. He has signed a new one year contract.
“I’m happy to have extended my stay at AFC Leopards. Looking forward to a great pre season as we prepare for the new season.” Nyakeya revealed.
AFC Leopards has also reached an agreement with Jaffari Odenyi Owiti which sees him extend his stay at the den for two more years. Owiti joined Nairobi-based outfit in January 2018 from Chemilil FC .
He will be itching for more playing time this season after returning from an anterior cruciate ligament surgery that kept him out of action for the last one year.
Football Kenya Federation Premier League side AFC Leopards has entered into a sponsorship partnership with betting firm Betika, the club confirmed on Friday.
The particular KEE195 million partnership will see Ingwee pocket a whooping KES65 million annually for three years in a row.
This development comes two days after the 1998 Kenyan Premier League champions announced contract termination between them and gaming firm Silicon Solutions (Spotika) over breach of agreement.
A confirmation letter signed by club Secretary General Gilbert Andugu stated on Wednesday.
On June 25, 2022 Ingwee unveiled Spotika as their official shirt sponsor in a KES60 million deal for three seasons.
Later on July 1, 2022 AFC Leopards Sports Club entered into an agreement with the said company and signed at a ceremony held in Nairobi in the presence of Defence CS Eugene Wamalwa, Director Immigration Services Alex Muteshi among other invited members of the club.
It was a term of the contract that Spotika would pay the club KES4 million with KES2 million at the execution of the agreement and the remaining KES2 million before July 17, 2022.
However, despite AFC Leopards being in compliance with the terms of the agreement advertising Spotika’s products on all its social media platforms and the website, the gaming company has reportedly breached the agreement after paying the initial instalment of KES2 million.
Reports from the den say Spotika has failed to release the remaining KES2 million. Efforts from AFC Leopards officials to meet their Spotika counterparts have reportedly hit a snag.
Due to the existing stalemate, AFC Leopards is unable to honour its financial commitments to players, staff and suppliers.
The 1998 Kenyan Premier League champions had also planned to use the pending amount of money to reinforce their squad ahead of the new FKF Premier League season.
Betika’s deal with AFC Leopards will be effective at the commencement of the 2022/23 Football Kenya Federation Premier League season that is scheduled for 27th August.
Football Kenya Federation Premier League side AFC Leopards has made a resolution to rescind the sponsorship agreement with betting firm Silicon Solutions (Spotika) with immediate effect.
A confirmation letter signed by club Secretary General Gilbert Andugu stated on Wednesday.
On June 25, 2022 Ingwee unveiled Spotika as their official shirt sponsor in a KES60 million deal for three seasons.
Later on July 1, 2022 AFC Leopards Sports Club entered into an agreement with the said company and signed at a ceremony held in Nairobi in the presence of Defence CS Eugene Wamalwa, Director Immigration Services Alex Muteshi among other invited members of the club.
It was a term of the contract that Spotika would pay the club KES4 million with KES2 million at the execution of the agreement and the remaining KES2 million before July 17, 2022.
However, despite AFC Leopards being in compliance with the terms of the agreement advertising Spotika’s products on all its social media platforms and the website, the gaming company has reportedly breached the agreement after paying the initial instalment of KES2 million.
Reports from the den say Spotika has failed to release the remaining KES2 million. Efforts from AFC Leopards officials to meet their Spotika counterparts have reportedly hit a snag.
Due to the existing stalemate, AFC Leopards is unable to honour its financial commitments to players, staff and suppliers.
The 1998 Kenyan Premier League champions had also planned to use the pending amount of money to reinforce their squad ahead of the new FKF Premier League season.
Newly elected AFC Leopards Secretary General Gilbert Andugu has urged club leadership and supporters to work together towards retaining Ingwee’s lost glory.
Leopards last won a Kenyan Premier League title in 1998, allowing arch rivals Gor Mahia and Tusker dominate Kenyan football for two decades.
Andugu won the seat with 432 votes ahead of Robert Situma (224) and Tony Omusina (49) in an election held on June 26 during the side’s Annual General Meeting at Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani.
“My hearty appreciation to my campaign team for the great team work, sleepless nights and never ending support you gave to ensure that we emerged victorious in the polls,” Andugu said on Tuesday.
“I believe that our great Club, AFC Leopards won on this day. Your vote was a vote for the future. A bright future. Your overwhelming support will come in handy as I take over this new responsibility.”
AFC Leopards finished 6th in the 2022/23 Football Kenya Federation Premier League season after starting the campaign poorly with reliable players ditching the former champions due to financial constraints that were hampering operations at the club.
Andugu believes AFC Leopards can retain their glorious status provided there is teamwork and cohesion at the den.
“Special thanks to my competitors Robert Situma and Tonny Omusina for the allowing democracy to carry the day. You have shown the true spirit of being an Ingwe fan as well as trusting in our Club structures.Let us join hands, work together and ensure that AFC Leopards regains its lost glory.
“I give thanks to the independent election organizers Centre for Multiparty Democracy (CMD) for conducting a fair and credible election allowing for the Club’s ethos to be felt across Kenya and the world at large.
“I also congratulate Dr. Dan Shikanda and Oliver Napali for being elected to the national executive council (NEC) as Chairperson and treasurer respectively. Our combined efforts is what will make us achieve the success and trophy-laden term for the fans.
“To the fans and members; your support will be required as usual on and off the pitch. The task ahead will be determined by our unity. Let’s stand together and restore our lost glory.”
Following the Sunday’s exercise held at Kasarani on Sunday June 26, 2022, the following officials were elected to the national executive council (NEC) to steer the Club for the next three years.
Football Kenya Federation Premier League side AFC Leopards will hold their club elections during the side’s Annual General Meeting scheduled for Sunday, June 26 at the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani.
Voting process shall commence at 8: 00am and close at 1:00pm whereby eligible voters handing in their identification documents to the election’s official at 1:00pm shall be considered to the last person to cast their vote before voting is closed.
The presiding officer however, has the liberty to extend the voting period for not more than 1 hour or call the voting to a close before the above stipulated time for a good course to be recorded.
Voters are encouraged to carry their original National Identification Cards and/or valid passport. A voter shall present their national identity card or a valid passport to an elections official before being allowed to vote.
According to the club’s update on the exercise, only accredited agents and observers will be allowed within the polling centres.
Electoral Code of Conduct
Candidates are encouraged to adhere to the AFC Leopards Code of Conduct.
Voters and supporters are discouraged from wearing their candidates branded merchandise i.e (Caps and T-Shirts with aspirants’ names/photos) to the polling area.
Supporters are discouraged from playing music/isikuti near the polling area.
AFC Leopards finished 6th in the 2021/2022 Football Kenya Federation Premier League season after starting the campaign poorly.
The side has signed a KES60 million-shilling sponsorship deal with Kenya’s betting company Spotika for the 2022/23 campaign.
Aspirants will be battling for the positions of Chairman, General Secretary and Treasurer.
Much of the attention will be in the club chairmanship election where current office holder Dan Shikanda will be out to guard his seat against Ronald Mukoya Namai.
Kenya’s most successful football clubs, Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards are not yet out of the woods as the sponsorship curse haunts them again.
What could be likened to bad omen, both K’Ogalo and Ingwee have for long been bedevilled by financial constraints occasioned by a number of factors scaring away sponsors and partners from pumping money into their coffers.
There are grave financial and misconduct factors that are constantly chasing away interested sponsors willing to uplift the status of the game;
Economic Downfall
Sponsors are shelving their ambitions of partnering with financially-stricken football clubs in Kenya due to the current economic crisis in the country.
Gaming firm Betsafe has bolted out of an initial three-year sponsorship deal signed between them, Gor and Leopards in 2020.
In the agreement, Gor Mahia reportedly received Ksh50 million while AFC Leopards pocketed Ksh40 million two years ago as the first batch of payments for the season of their partnership was disbursed.
In the second year, K’Ogalo bagged Ksh30 million while their eternal nemesis Leopards picked Ksh20 million. This is after the betting company slashed the sponsorship package due to the Covid-19 pandemic that had reduced revenue flow.
Betsafe has been shirt sponsors of the two clubs and are prematurely cutting links with the two outfits with a year left on their contract.
Heavy Taxation
In 2019, the government cancelled operational licences for 27 betting companies for failure to comply with the Kenya Revenue Authority regulations.
By that time, giant betting firm SportPesa was the main Kenyan Premier League sponsor as well as both Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards shirt partner with a multi-million shilling deal sealed.
Sportpesa would later close shop in the Kenyan market after the taxman came after them.
“We regrettably wish to announce that due to the uncertainty of this situation [cancellation of the licence] SportPesa will be cancelling sports sponsorships effective immediately. All clubs and partners will have received notices as provided for in their contracts,” Sportpesa said in a statement seen by Sports Africa.
“This despite the existence of a court order prohibiting the regulator from taking such actions. We greatly value our partnerships and we will endeavour to resume support to the best of our ability when the business recovers,” the statement added.
In 2018, Sportpesa had given the Football Kenya Federation a total of Shs69 million, with Kenya Premier League (KPL) receiving Shs259 million.
On the other hand, record KPL champions Gor Mahia received Shs198 million while the 1998 KPL winners AFC Leopards took home Shs159 million.
The lucrative deal was later terminated even after Sportpesa came back into operation in the market shortly after tax compliance.
Sanctions and Bans
Sponsors prefer investing in an orderly place to safeguard their investment. However, such is not the case in Kenyan football.
In February, World football governing body, FIFA asked the Kenyan government to repeal the decision to disband Football Kenya Federation and put in place a caretaker committee over FKF’s alleged funds embezzlement claims or the country risks an imminent ban
“Repeal of the Cabinet Secretary’s decision of 11 November 2021 appointing the caretaker committee in lieu of the elected FKF Executive Committee,”Fifa asked the government in a letter to the disbanded federation’s secretary-general Barry Otieno.
FIFA further added it would only lift the suspension upon the “receipt of confirmation from the FKF and its management, led by Vice-President Doris Petra and General Secretary Barry Otieno that the FKF and its premises are once more under their full and unconditional control.”
This development came shortly after Fifa President Gianni Infantino announced Kenya’s indefinite suspension from all football activities during the Fifa Council Press Conference.
“Without prejudice to any investigations by national authorities or other judicial bodies, the Fifa Council also decided to suspend the Football Kenya Federation and the Zimbabwe Football Association with immediate effect due to undue interference by a third party,” Infantino said.
Rioting and Hooliganism
AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia supporters have for ages been associated with hooliganism and protesting against perceived poor officiating in KPL matches.
On February 13, a league match pitting Vihiga Bullets and Gor Mahia was abandoned after K’Ogalo fans started rioting over alleged bias in officiating at Kasarani main stadium.
The fixture had only been played for the first 45 minutes before Bullets refused to get back to the pitch for the second half fearing for their safety.
Gor Mahia bore the brunt and forfeited the three points and a two-match fan ban against Police FC and Wazito FC.
“After the review of match official reports of the 2021-22 FKF Premier League match 180 between Gor Mahia and Vihiga Bullets which was abandoned at half time on Sunday February 13, 2022 at MISC Kasarani, Gor Mahia forfeits the match in accordance with rule 3-5-6 of the rules and regulations governing Kenyan Football (2019) which states: A club will forfeit any match which was abandoned because of misconduct of their supporters or members,” said the letter signed by Head of FKF Secretariat Linda Oguttu to Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier.
“Gor Mahia forfeits the match on 2-0 basis per rule 3-3-3. Gor Mahia is therefore given two match empty stadium ban and therefore, should play next two home league matches behind closed doors.”
No serious sponsor could wish to associate themselves with clubs dealing with consequences occasioned by misconduct of their supporters.
Meanwhile, it is back to the drawing board for the ountry’s football industry, not only the two leading clubs, Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards.
Record Kenyan Premier League champions Gor Mahia rallied from behind to beat arch rivals AFC Leopards 6-5 in post-match penalties to win the Madaraka Day Exhibition Cup at the Nyayo National Stadium on Wednesday.
AFC Leopards were trying to break their 6-year winless jinx against the Andreas Spier’s charges and things looked to be going their way when Collins Shivachi headed in the Washington Munene’s corner kick in 36th minute.
Ingwe took control of the entire first stanza with several attempts to double their lead but Gor Mahia’s defense was equal to the task until it ended 1-0 in favour of Leopards to the first half whistle.
In the second stanza, Gor Mahia came back guns blazing seeking to restore parity. Their relentless effort bore fruits in the 68th minute when Leopards’ old boy Austine Odhiambo capitalised on a lose ball to level matters for K’Ogalo, a blunder committed by AFC Leopards goalkeeper Levis Opiyo who was dispossessed in the box.
Both sides were cautiously trying not concede deep into the second half as it ended 1-1 in regular time.
It was straight to the penalties with Gor Mahia converting all their six spot kicks while AFC Leopards’ Peter Thiong’o fired his shot over the bar to let the Green Army win the tie to the excitement of their loyal supporters.
The former FKF Premier League winners took home a sum of Ksh 1m as prize money plus a trophy.
AFC Leopards penalty scorers: Tedian Esilaba, Washington Munene, Victor Omune, Josephat Lopaga, John Mark Makwatta
Gor Mahia penalty scorers: Philemon Otieno, Samuel Onyango, Dennis Ng’ang’a, John Macharia, Austine Odhiambo
Gor Mahia Starting XI
Gad Mathew, Paul Ochuoga, Philemon Otieno, Dennis Ng’ang’a, Geoffrey Ochieng, Ernest Wendo, Peter Lwasa, Austine Odhiambo, Sammy Onyango, George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo, Sammy Omalla.
AFC Leopards Starting XI
Levis Opiyo, Peter Thiong’o, Washington Munene, Tedian Esilaba, Collins Shivachi, Lewis Bandi, Brian Wanyama, Cliff Nyakeya, Ojo Olaniyi, Victor Omune, Eugene Mukangula.