The postponement is a blow to football fans who were looking forward to the fierce encounter, with the hashtag #Mashemejiderby trending the whole week.
The much-anticipated Mashemeji Derby, set to bring together Kenyan football’s fiercest rivals, AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia, has been postponed indefinitely. The match, originally scheduled for Sunday, November 24, 2024, at Nyayo National Stadium will not take place as planned.
The primary reason for the postponement is the current unavailability of a football stadium in the country to host such a high-profile match, which typically attracts thousands of fans. Nyayo National Stadium, the home ground of AFC Leopards, is currently under construction in preparation for the 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN). Kenya, alongside Uganda and Tanzania, is co-hosting the tournament, and as a result, various sporting facilities, including Nyayo Stadium, are being upgraded to meet the event’s requirements.
AFC Leopards, the designated home team for the match confirmed the development in a statement. "We regret to inform you that the highly awaited FKF Premier League match between AFC Leopards SC and Gor Mahia FC, originally scheduled for Sunday, November 24, 2024, at 16:00 at Nyayo Stadium, has been postponed until further notice," the club said.
“This is due to the unavailability of the match venue, which is undergoing renovations in preparation for the upcoming CHAN 2024 Competition. We shall communicate the rescheduled dates in due course.” The statement added.
Leopards had been seeking approval from Sports Kenya throughout the week but were informed that Nyayo National Stadium is unavailable.
The postponement is a blow to football fans who were looking forward to the fierce encounter, with the hashtag #Mashemejiderby trending the whole week. The Mashemeji Derby is one of the most intense and passionate fixtures in Kenyan football, drawing thousands of supporters who eagerly anticipate the rivalry between these two clubs.
The delay not only affects the teams and their fans but also casts a spotlight on the challenges facing Kenya’s football infrastructure.