Mashemeji Derby: AFC Leopards legend on how Ingwe can beat Gor Mahia
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Reading Time: 3min | Wed. 03.12.25. | 09:52
He questioned why the club management has not publicly declared their readiness for the match, noting that such statements used to boost player morale in the past
Former AFC Leopards defender Reginald Asibwa has warned that pressure will be on Gor Mahia when they face Ingwe in the first Mashemeji Derby of the 2025/26 season on Sunday, 7 December.
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Asibwa believes that AFC Leopards can seize victory if they manage to keep Gor Mahia at bay during the opening stages of the game.
The highly anticipated derby, originally scheduled for last weekend, was postponed due to venue unavailability. Kasarani Stadium was hosting Nairobi United’s CAF Confederation Cup game, while Nyayo Stadium had been booked for a World AIDS Day event by State House.
The match will now kick off at Nyayo Stadium at 3 PM, with the women’s sides of both clubs playing earlier to curtain-raise the fixture.
On paper, Gor Mahia appear to be slight favourites. They lead the league table with 19 points from nine matches, five ahead of AFC Leopards, who have played a similar number of games.
However, Asibwa downplayed the notion of Gor Mahia as outright favourites, insisting that the league leaders carry enormous pressure and likened the match to the biblical story of David and Goliath.
“First and foremost, the pressure is on Gor Mahia. They have an avalanche of players in the national team and are poised to win. From the outset, it is a battle of David and Goliath,” Asibwa told Flashscore.
Asibwa also analysed how the early stages of the game could be decisive. He suggested that Gor Mahia will likely look to dominate from the start, seeking an early goal to set the tone, but this approach could play into AFC Leopards’ hands if they remain disciplined.
“AFC Leopards can easily win this derby by first not conceding a goal early and second by frustrating Gor Mahia with smart defensive tactics,” he explained.
Asibwa stressed that player confidence will be a key factor. He questioned why the club management has not publicly declared their readiness for the match, noting that such statements used to boost player morale in the past.
“During our days, our secretary general, Maxwell Shamalla, would speak to the media to declare that Ingwe was ready to face Gor Mahia anywhere, even at Pand Pieri in Kisumu. That confidence trickled down to the players, making us ready and up to the task,” he said.
He concluded by emphasising that the mental approach will be crucial for AFC Leopards.
“If our players enter the game with fear in their stomachs, it will be very difficult. But if they remain calm, play with confidence, and take note of what APS Bomet did to Gor Mahia, they can achieve the same,” Asibwa said.
