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.
Record Kenyan Premier League champions Gor Mahia football club has distanced itself from the side’s chairman Ambrose Rachier’s freemasonry confession.
Rachier, a city lawyer confessed to be a member of the feared secret society on Ntv over the weekend, a confession that has elicited mixed reactions across the spectrum.
Bearing the magnitude that the revelation comes with, Gor Mahia Secretary General Sam Ochola Monday through a statement confirmed that the club is not a member of any secret society, adding that Ambrose Rachier was speaking on his own behalf at the weekend.
“As the SG of Gor Mahia FC and on behalf of the EC, I watched with interest our Chairman’s interview about the Freemasons. The EC members, players, employees and the Mighty Gor Mahia Football Club want to assure our fans that we are not part of the Freemasons society and that our Chairman’s affiliation to the society is a personal journey as attested in the media. The EC kindly requests all fans of the club to stay calm as we mitigate the way forward. Thank you.” Sam Ochola said.
The mystery behind the freemasonry in kenya remains a top secret that even Rachier could not go beyond some point in his narration. The society has for years been associated freemasonry with devil worship and human sacrifice.
Lawyer Ambrose Rachier spoke to NTV reporter Duncan Khaemba about the organisation and the mystery and answered a handful of questions.
Asked about what freemasonry is, Rachier said;
“It is arguably one of the oldest societies in the world coming from medieval times.
Many secret societies existed particularly in England, but masonry became formalised around 1640 and then got perfected around 1813.
“It is a member’s organisation in which someone who knows you very well invites you to join. Our main objective is to engage in charity to help humanity.
“But, in the process, we ensure that our intellectual faculties are all the time interrogated and we also just have something that you can call companionship or fellowship through dinners and so forth.”
Asked about his response to those who say that freemasonry is a satanic enterprise or some kind of devil worshipping, Rachier said;
“I think it is all about ignorance. If you get to the masonic hall, the first thing you get is a citation of King Solomon to God saying: “I shall build you a house and you shall establish your throne forever.
“In reference to building a temple for God, nothing could be further from satanic than that and, indeed, masonry is about building a temple, that is why we have degrees of builders.
“I think most are talking from a point of view of Christianity, yet masonry is not based on any particular religion.
“We have Muslims in freemasonry, Christians, Buddhists and a few atheists, so there is no reference whatsoever to issues of devil worship, whoever the devil is.”
Explaining on how one becomes a member of the feared secret society, the long serving Gor Mahia chairman said;
“First, is when you get to hear bout it, and you are lucky to get in there — I am saying lucky in the sense that unless you hear it from somebody else, you may never be interested in it.
“In particular, these negative attitudes are being propagated by ignorant people. You will never hear about it.
“Somebody who has been an insider—like me, I have been there since 1994—would find it is something good, something that I would want to invite a friend.
“So I would give you a talk, and then go to a meeting and propose that I have somebody that I would like to introduce.
“We will then invite you to an interview; we talk to you about a few things.
“In particular, we are concerned about your family, what they will think about you because of all these negative views, and if there is any rejection.
“It will then be announced to seek objection.
“If there is, you will not come in. An objection will come from someone who may say you have a negative character.
“If there is no objection, you will be welcomed and shown what it is all about.”
Ambrose Rachier said the society is meant to facility charity in the society, contrary to the acquisition of wealth among its prominent members as alleged.
Record Kenyan Premier League champions Gor Mahia Tuesday unveiled gaming firm Betafriq as their new shirt sponsor heading into the new season.
In a Nairobi hotel, K’Ogalo sealed a three-year deal worth Sh76.5million yearly that will help the local giants sail in the harsh economic days.
The deal goes down in club’s history as the biggest sponsorship package ever signed by the 19-time Kenyan champions.
It comes shortly after another gaming firm, Betsafe withdrew their sponsorship from both Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards citing difficult economic times.
In his thanksgiving message, Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier said;
“We are happy to have a new partner as our main shirt sponsor on a three year deal with yearly review clauses. This is after concluding our recent negotiations which saw us reach a total deal of The KSh76.5 million per year – with Sh5m going to kitting and Sh1.5 for our players’ insurance. This will cushion the club financially as we’ve had some tight times in those circles.
“We are optimistic that the sponsor should be able to perform and deliver their part of bargain. Last sponsorship had challenges due to Covid-19 pandemic which forced our deal to be reduced by 50pc but we believe Covid-19 is going away and the sponsor should be able to perform,” Chairman Rachier stated.
Betafriq Chief Executive Officer Craig Oyugi on his part said;
“True to our principle of supporting local initiatives, Gor Mahia is a local club that we are honored to be associated with.
“We hope to revive interest in Kenyan football by being associated with Gor. We believe this will have a cascading effect across the league and spur more sponsorships from like minded business, further elevating Kenyan football.
“We aim at supporting as many local sporting initiatives as is financially and logistically possible,” added Craig Oyugi.
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.
Nairobi City Stars players and technical bench members lost personal belongings including cash and mobile phones from the changing room during a 32nd round FFK Premier League match against Gor Mahia in Kasarani (main) on Sunday 29 May 2022.
In a statement, the Nairobi based club that has not been using the facility since 2016 revealed that the incident took place during half-time of the particular fixture.
“The items were stolen during the first half, and the occurrences was only known when the team returned to their designated room at half time,” the statement read.
“The shock caused a five minute delay to the start of the second half and after the game, it was ascertained that a total of 13 phones were stolen and up to 18 persons lost cash totalling Kshs. 94,050, or thereabout.”
At half time, the team returned to the changing room only to find bags and open wallets strewn on the floor. On checking, most realised they had lost cash and mobile phones. Very few were lucky as one row of bags was untouched.
It was double tragedy for Nicholas Kipkirui, Wycliffe Otieno, Davis Agesa, Jacob Osano, Rowland Makati, assistant coach John Amboko, keeper trainer Zachary Onyango and trainer Arthur Museve who lost both phones and cash.
Goalkeeper Elvis Ochoro, defenders Herit Mungai, Midfielders Sven Yidah, Anthony Kimani, and Mohamed Bajaber lost their phones only.
Stopper Kenedy Onyango, striker Ezekiel Odera, Mike Madoya, Calvin Masawa, Edwin Buliba, the Noor siblings of Timothy Ouma and Elvis Ojiambo, flyer Rodgers Okuse Okumu, Kevin Chumsy Okumu, and assistant coach Noah Abich lost cash.
Forward Agesa, on top of losing cash and a phone, also lost a pair of boots.
The room was locked just before kick off and unlocked at half time. Notwithstanding, a back widow, fastened before departure from the room, was found open under very unclear circumstances.
City Stars took to the authorities for further investigation.
“The matter was immediately raised with the Kasarani Stadium security team. They will commence investigations with a check on CCTV footage on Monday morning.
“The incident was also reported to the Kasarani Stadium Police station. They promised to get to the bottom of the matter in collaboration with the Stadium security team.”
The club urged anyone who may have information that can bring those involved to book to come forward and provide assistance.
Nairobi City Stars lost the particular match 3-2 to Gor Mahia.
AFC Leopards boss Patrick Aussems has hailed his young side for showing consistency after edging Talanta FC 3-2 in an FKF Premier League duel witnessed at the Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday.
The Belgian tactician has been behind the noticeable eye-catching football displayed at the den lately. He has instilled confidence and composure to the young Leopards squad with decent results consequently.
Aussems has built a strong unit from scratch at the 1998 Kenyan Premier League champions after a mass exodus of players witnessed at the club earlier in the current season owing to perceived financial constraints in the country’s top flight league.
With the club banned from making any signings then, the former Simba SC tactician utilised yet to be exposed talent from Ingwe academy to the current fruits the side is reaping.
Leopards boast of the season’s longest unbeaten run stretching to 11 matches. Ingwe have collected maximum points twice in their last three league outings and sharing spoils once.
They drew 1-1 with their eternal rivals Gor Mahia earlier in the month, won walkover points after Kariobangi Sharks failed to show up for a scheduled Premier League fixture before outsmarting newbies Talanta FC on Saturday.
Commenting on Saturday’s results, head coach Patrick Aussems was full of praise to the lads for taking in instructions earnestly and showing improvement consistently.
“We won 3-2 but we put ourselves in trouble ! Fortunately we didn’t give up and we kept believing on it. We showed character ! It’s also a way to win matches ! Those boys learn and progress weeks after weeks. Congrats boys! I will keep eyes on them,” he said.
Tipped for relegation in the early stages of the culminating campaign, Leopards have emerged above the odds to tenth position on the 18-team table with 42 points in 29 matches.
FKF Premier League Saturday Results
AFC Leopards 3-2 Talanta FC
Gor Mahia 1-1 Kakamega Homeboyz
Bidco United 0-1 Police FC
Mathare United vs Wazito Fc (Cancelled)
KCB 3- 2 City Stars
Posta Rangers 1-1 Sofapaka
AFC Leopards managed to hold all-time Kenyan Premier League champions Gor Mahia to a 1-1 draw in a fierce 94th edition of Mashemeji Derby staged at the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani Stadium on Sunday.
It was the Leopards who took the lead on the 28th minute mark as Victor Omune capitalised on Gor Mahia’s mix-up in the defense to send the Ingwe fans in the stands wild.
Both sides had their fair chances in the first stanza but Gor Mahia could not restore parity in the opening 45 minutes with Leopards holding on to their early lead into the break.
Gor Mahia came back in the second half guns blazing and made their intentions clear as forward Benson Omalla levelled the scores for home side in the 51st minute after a miscommunication in AFC Leopards defense.
Going forward, it was anyone’s game with both ends squandering their open chances while trying to seal victory.
However, Gor Mahia still took the bragging rights after stretching their unbeaten run in the Mashemeji Derby to six years.
AFC Leopards last beat Gor Mahia in the particular nerve-cracking fixture in 2016 with Lamine Diallo scoring the only goal for the Leopards at the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani.
The stalemate pushed Gor Mahia to fourth position in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League standings with 47 points in 28 outings as AFC Leopards moved to nineth place with 39 points in 28 matches.
Elsewhere, Vihiga Bullets came from behind twice, staging a memorable comeback to shock home side Kariobangi Sharks 4-3 at the Kasarani Annex on Sunday.
Patilah Omoto, Erick Mmata and Steve Otieno scored the goals for Sharks while Vincent Ogola grabbed a brace for the visitors with Robert Arrot and Philip Muchuma sealing the win for the visitors who moved four point away from the drop zone.
Second placed and defending champions Tusker FC moved closer to retaining their title after beating log leaders Kakamega Homeboyz 2-0 at Ruaraka, reducing the gap between them and the Homeboyz to one point.
Defending champions Tusker FC ended AFC Leopards 11 game unbeaten run with a narrow 2-1 victory in a league match played at the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani on Sunday.
Deogratious Ojok came off the bench to score the winning goal at the death, as Leopards looked keen to further extent their fine form to 12 matches.
AFC Leopards’ Nigerian striker Ojo Olaniyi had also come off the bench to score the equalizer in the 83rd minute to cancel out Lawrence Luvanda’s 13th minute goal.
Tusker fought to the tail end of the fixture and Ojok grabbed all three points with virtually the last kick of the game. Sakari brilliantly won the ball on the right before slicing a cross into the box. Ojok perfectly timed his run to beat the offside trap and slot the ball home.
Saturday Results
Nairobi City Stars 0-2 Sofapaka
Kariobangi Sharks 3-2 Posta Rangers
KCB 0-1 Gor Mahia
Mathare 0-2 Bandari
Sunday Results
AFC Leopards 1-2 Tusker
Nzoia Sugar 1-1 Ulinzi FC
Police 2-2 Kakamega Homeboyz
Vihiga Bullets 2-2 Bidco United