Gor Mahia’s head coach, Sinisa Mihic, is optimistic ahead of the “Mashemeji Derby,” scheduled for this Sunday at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.
After their victory against Division II side KSG Ogopa FC in the Mozzart Bet Cup knockout stage, the Croatian tactician expressed confidence in an exciting match against their long-time rivals.
“In every game, you need to be clever and manage your energy. We will get some rest over the next seven days and prepare a strategy for AFC Leopards. We are excited as we approach this game with great ambition, and I believe we will win,” Mihic explained.
K’Ogalo has bolstered their offensive line with the addition of two expatriate players. Charle Bblaale from Uganda and Patrick Essombe from Cameroon will strengthen the attack.
Other new signings include goalkeeper Giscard Mavoungou from Congo, defender Bryton Otieno Onyona from the Gor Mahia Youth team, and Ben Stanley Omondi from Kakamega Homeboyz.
The match was rescheduled to March 2, 2025, at Nyayo National Stadium due to the unavailability of a venue that could accommodate the large crowds. All stadiums are currently undergoing renovations in preparation for the upcoming CHAN tournament.
The rivalry between these two Kenyan football giants runs deep, and matches are always highly charged, with fans from both sides eager to outdo each other before and after the game. Winning brings bragging rights until the next encounter.
This will be the first derby under Gor Mahia’s new coach, and for the Green Army, it serves as a test of his capabilities. They believe that, regardless of other outcomes, winning a derby is a key indicator of a coach’s effectiveness.
Since 2015, K’Ogalo has had the upper hand in this rivalry, winning 12 matches, losing only 2, and drawing 5.