Gor Mahia legend Dan Sserunkuma singles out K'Ogalo player key to Mashemeji Derby victory
Reading Time: 4min | Wed. 22.04.26. | 18:51
The veteran Ugandan striker, who is currently taking his CAF C coaching course under CAF instructor Douglas Bamweyana, hopes to coach Gor Mahia in future
The history of the Mashemeji Derby is partial without mentioning Dan Sserunkuma- arguably the most consequential player of the fixture in recent memory.
With six goals against his name, the lethal Ugandan forward rightly has a special place in the hearts of Gor Mahia fans and remains a tormenting figure for AFC Leopards fanatics, who have few fond memories of his clinical instincts in front of goal.
Download our Mozzart Sport App for more news
His six strikes, recorded between 2012 and 2014, place him level at the top of the derby's all-time scoring charts alongside fellow K’Ogalo great, Sammy 'Jogoo' Onyango, at least as per statistics provided by the club.
With anticipation for the 99th edition of Kenya's biggest club football match reaching fever pitch, and given the encounter’s significance in both the title race and the battle for bragging rights, Sserunkuma believes it presents the perfect stage for the struggling Gor Mahia forwards to cement their place in club folklore.
The two giants are set to lock horns on Sunday, 26 April at the Nyayo National Stadium.
Speaking exclusively to Mozzart Sport, the Ugandan striker singled out Ebenezer Assifuah, who has led Gor Mahia’s attack in recent months, as the key figure to step up.
He urged the burly Ghanaian to seize the moment, noting that scoring in such a high-stakes fixture could cement his status as a respected club legend.
Assifuah, alongside his fellow forwards, head into the derby under intense pressure, having failed to score in the last three league matches against Bandari, Tusker, and Kariobangi Sharks.
Further, he is under scrutiny having scored a paltru five league goals since joining the club in the off-season transfer window.
Sserunkuma believes Assifuah and his attacking partners must rise to the occasion on Sunday, lace their scoring boots, and make every half-chance count.
"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.
He, together with the other strikers, must be at their very best and ensure that even the slightest opportunity counts on Sunday,” said Sserunkuma in a telephone interview.
Aware that Gor Mahia lost the first leg 1–0 at the same venue on Sunday, 7 December 2025, the former Bandari player has challenged the entire Gor Mahia squad to ensure that AFC Leopards do not complete a league double over them.
Leopards secured the first-leg win courtesy of Julius Masaba’s strike, a goal that delivered their second win in the fixture in nine years.
“The current players must understand the magnitude of this fixture and what it means to the fans. Losing to Leopards again would be unacceptable. The supporters invest a lot of emotion in the derby, and with both clubs in the title race, the current squad must push for all three points.
Some travel from as far as Kisumu and Mombasa to watch the match, and it is only fair to reward their sacrifice with three points,” said the former Nairobi City Stars attacker.
🟢 | TOP SCORER
— GOR MAHIA FC (@OfficialGMFC) October 6, 2023
Top scorers in #MashemejiDerby are Dan Sserunkuma and Sammy Onyango 'Jogoo' - each with 6 goals.
Tomorrow.... mapema Kasarani tumalize shughuli.#Sirkal | #GorFansClub pic.twitter.com/wguczKZku1
Reflecting on how he used to handle pressure on the eve of a derby, the former Vipers forward said he would turn the endless calls from fans into a source of inspiration, while turning a deaf ear to criticism.
“I would receive all manner of calls from fans in the days leading up to a match. I never ignored them or switched off my cellphone.
Their words of encouragement would fire me up for the derby. Players should establish a healthy relationship with the fans, considering that Gor Mahia is a community club. They should also accept being criticised," he offered his counsel.
Meanwhile, with his playing career on its sunset days at Vipers-and plans to transition into coaching underway, Sserunkuma hopes to return to the Gor Mahia touchline and possibly manage a derby fixture.
The former Uganda Cranes marksman, who has admitted to being in contact with Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier, is currently taking his CAF C coaching course.
Studying his course under the watch of CAF instructor Douglas Bamweyana, Sserunkuma revealed that he is still an active player at Vipers.
"Some fans have been encouraging me to return, speak to the players, and even attend matches. I will definitely do that in the future. However, coaching the club (Gor Mahia) remains a dream for me. I would be happy to come back as a coach one day,” said the former Simba SC forward.
During his time at Gor Mahia, Sserunkuma won the 2012 Kenyan Premier League's Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.
He clinched the 'Golden Boot' in 2016 after scoring 16 goals.