Dan Sserunkuma has ignited the build-up to the Mashemeji Derby after throwing his full backing behind Ebenezer Assifuah, tipping the striker to be the man who could decide the clash for Gor Mahia F.C. against arch-rivals AFC Leopards.
The K’Ogalo legend, revered by fans for his decisive contributions in past derbies, believes Assifuah has a golden opportunity to etch his name into club folklore by delivering on the biggest stage in Kenyan football.
“I have heard of the Ghanaian striker at Gor Mahia, and I believe he is a top professional. He may have scored in previous league matches, but fans will not dwell on that. What they will remember is whether he delivers in the Mashemeji Derby and steps up when the title race intensifies,” Sserunkuma stated in an exclusive interview with Mozzart Sports.
In true derby fashion, Sserunkuma made it clear that this is far from an ordinary league fixture.
“League goals are good… but derby goals? Those make you a legend,” he fired, sending a strong message across the divide.
Drawing from experience, the former forward emphasized the need for ruthlessness in front of goal, calling on Assifuah and the entire attacking unit to seize every opportunity.
“He, together with the other strikers, must be at their very best and ensure that even the slightest opportunity counts on Sunday.”
The history of this iconic fixture cannot be told without mentioning Sserunkuma. With six goals scored between 2012 and 2014, he stands among the most influential players in the derby’s modern era. His tally places him level at the top of the all-time scoring charts alongside Gor Mahia great Sammy Onyango, a testament to his enduring impact in one of African football’s fiercest rivalries.
As anticipation builds for the 99th edition of the Mashemeji Derby, set for Sunday, 26 April at Nyayo National Stadium, the stakes continue to rise. The match carries significant weight in both the title race and the battle for bragging rights in Nairobi.
Sserunkuma believes this presents the perfect stage for Gor Mahia’s forwards, who have faced scrutiny in recent matches, to silence critics and cement their place in club history.
For K’Ogalo faithful, the script is simple: show up, show out, and assert dominance. For Assifuah, still writing his story at the club, this is a defining moment, an opportunity to turn whispers into chants and performances into immortality.
History, as always in this fixture, has little patience for passengers. Players either rise to the occasion or fade into the background.
With expectations centered on clinical finishing, the message from the green army is clear: one chance, one goal, one eruption from the stands.
Across the divide, AFC Leopards will be hoping their defense can withstand the pressure. But as history has often shown, hope alone is rarely enough in a derby of this magnitude.
Adding further intrigue, Sserunkuma hinted at a possible return to Gor Mahia in the future, not as a player, but as a tactician, signaling his continued connection to the club.
A derby legend backing a potential new hero. The narrative is perfectly set.
Sunday is more than just matchday, it is a statement.
