Gor Mahia, AFC Leopards fans to wait longer for Mashemeji Derby after postponement

Supporters of Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards will have to wait even longer for the highly anticipated 98th Mashemeji Derby, as the blockbuster fixture is set to be postponed, Mozzart Sport can confirm.

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In a dramatic twist, the derby, initially scheduled for Sunday, 30 November, before being moved a day earlier to Saturday, 29 November, has now been pushed to a yet-to-be-confirmed date following fresh logistical complications due to venue unavailability.

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The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) was forced into the latest decision after Nyayo National Stadium, the venue identified for the rescheduled clash, was declared unavailable.

The facility will host a national state function ahead of the World AIDS Day Commemorative Event, rendering Nyayo Stadium off-limits for sporting competitions over the weekend.

A source close to Gor Mahia confirmed the development, telling Mozzart Sport:

"The derby is off. The club held several discussions attempting to have the match played on Saturday, but those efforts have been unsuccessful. The clash has now been postponed to a later date that FKF will communicate."

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Before settling on Nyayo, the derby had been set for Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, on Sunday, 30 November.

However, that plan also collapsed after the venue was booked by league debutants Nairobi United, who will be hosting AS Maniema Union of DR Congo in their second CAF Confederation Cup group-stage assignment.

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Under CAF regulations, continental matches take precedence over local fixtures, forcing Gor Mahia to urgently seek an alternative ground, ultimately leading them to Nyayo and prompting the initial date change.

This latest adjustment marks the third postponement of the Mashemeji Derby this year, continuing a trend of venue crisis for the storied clash.

In the previous season, the fixture was postponed twice, first on Sunday, 2 March, and again on Sunday, 11 May, both delays resulting from the unavailability of Nyayo and Kasarani Stadiums, which were undergoing renovation works ahead of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) held in August.

With the derby now shelved once more, attention shifts to the Football Kenya Federation, who are expected to deliberate and announce a new date for the high-stakes clash.