Gor Mahia reveal how Police FC, Mathare officials helped avoid Mashemeji Derby postponement
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Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 06.12.25. | 19:35
Their swift mediation was crucial in ensuring the stadium remained available for the country’s biggest club football rivalry
Gor Mahia vice chairperson Sally Bolo has lifted the lid on the behind-the-scenes efforts that saved the highly anticipated 98th Mashemeji Derby from an abrupt postponement.
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In a candid update shared on Facebook, Bolo disclosed that the fixture was on the brink of disruption after the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) took over Nyayo Stadium on Saturday, 6 December, to conduct rehearsals for the upcoming Jamhuri Day celebrations.
With the military drills threatening to spill into matchday preparations, the derby, already a logistical heavyweight, faced the prospect of yet another untimely setback.
According to Bolo, it took urgent intervention from Kenya Police FC Secretary General Chris Onguso and Mathare United CEO Jecton Obure to convince the KDF to temporarily halt their scheduled training.
Their swift mediation, she noted, was crucial in ensuring the stadium remained available for the country’s biggest club football rivalry.
“The highly anticipated Mashemeji Derby is set for tomorrow (Sunday), with Gor Mahia hosting AFC Leopards at Nyayo Stadium.
The match was confirmed after a last-minute effort to secure the venue, averting a potential postponement that had begun to loom over the fixture,” Bolo wrote.
She extended further gratitude to the Chief of Defence Forces for responding positively to the appeal, as well as FKF’s Frank Ogolla, whose presence and input helped steer the consultations to a successful conclusion.
With the venue now secured and matchday preparations back on track, Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards are set to renew one of Africa’s most storied rivalries.
K’Ogalo, who boast 33 derby victories, will be aiming to stretch their dominance to 34, while Ingwe, on 28 wins, will be seeking to tilt the narrative.
Last season, the derby failed to ignite as both legs ended in draws, the opening leg ending in a barren draw, while the return leg culminated in a 1-1 stalemate, adding further intrigue to Sunday’s showdown.
All eyes now turn to Nyayo Stadium, where renewed rivalry awaits as bragging rights and maximum points are at stake.
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