K'Ogalo plead for 5000 fans in derby

Kenyan champions Gor Mahia have written to the Ministry of Sports seeking permission to admit five thousand fans into Kasarani Stadium on Sunday when the hotly billed Mashemeji derby goes down.

K’Ogalo are the hosts and need their ‘12th man’ to overcome an AFC Leopards side that has shown a ruthless streak this season. Ingwe are above Gor Mahia in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) log and have won three of their previous games heading into the derby.

The government has imposed restrictions on the number of people allowed to gather in social places owing to the current situation with Coronavirus. Only forty fans are allowed in top-flight matches across the board.

The restriction on fans’ participation has not gone down well with many considering the political class fill their rallies with thousands of people without much ado from authorities.

Gor Mahia have stated to the government that the 60000 seater stadium can safely host five thousand fans with a guarantee of upholding the stipulated social distancing rule.

A club insider revealed that K’Ogalo are silently praying for their request to be granted as they could also use the gate collection to lessen the financial burdens the team is currently facing.

“The club wrote to the ministry of sports to consider allowing just 5000 people. The letter went out on Tuesday but up to now, there has been no response. The presence of fans could really inject the ambiance needed for such a high profile game and that is what we want. Being the home team we will give the chance to most of our fans while our opponents will also get their share of seats. All this is, however, dependent on what the government directs,” said the source.

For the first time in five years, AFC leopards head into Kenya’s hottest contested derby with an equal chance of winning after shaking management squabbles with a leaner office and harmonious working condition which has trickled down to the playing unit.

Leopards have also maintained a core group of players with coach Anthony Kimani also being a constant in the team. In return, the club is experiencing stability off the pitch and cohesion within it. They sit 4th on the log three points above Gor Mahia and five behind league leaders Tusker.