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'Mashemeji' derby: Let’s play in Uganda or Tanzania, suggests AFC boss Shikanda

Dan Shikanda

AFC Leopards Football Club chairman Dan Shikanda.

Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group

By  Cecil Odongo

Reporter

Nation Media Group

What you need to know:

  • Official fixtures released by FKF Tuesday indicate that the hugely anticipated match, pitting age-old rivals AFC Leopards against Gor Mahia, will be held at Moi International Sports Centre (MISC), Kasarani on Sunday.
  • However, the venue has been undergoing renovations since November 29, 2023 ahead of the rescheduled 2024 African Nations Championships in August.

The 'Mashemeji' derby, the biggest club football fixture in the country is again grappling with venue issues.

Official fixtures released by FKF Tuesday indicate that the hugely anticipated match, pitting age-old rivals AFC Leopards against Gor Mahia, will be held at Moi International Sports Centre (MISC), Kasarani on Sunday.

However, the venue has been undergoing renovations since November 29, 2023 ahead of the rescheduled 2024 African Nations Championships in August.

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AFC Leopards Chairman Dan Shikanda, whose team are the hosts, has now proposed that FKF move the fixture to Tanzania or Uganda reckoning the game would end up being held up  “forever” if the issue of venue was not solved.

“We may not play at Kasarani and I can’t accept that the fixture to be staged at Dandora or Kenyatta, in Machakos because these venues cannot stage such a big fixture,,” said Shikanda Tuesday.

“How would you move the canopy at Kasarani which is a construction site? As of now, the game is scheduled for Sunday but there is no venue and I don’t know where we will play. Let FKF plan so that we can play in Tanzania or Uganda where Harambee Stars staged their matches,” added Shikanda.

“We can use Nyayo but that has to be decided by the Chan Local Committee though it is highly unlikely. For now, as a home team we have just to wait and if there is no convenient venue then the fixture will be postponed again or we go to Tanzania or Uganda,” said Shikanda.

This 'Mashemeji' fixture was originally scheduled for November 23 last year, but was postponed due to lack of a venue as both the 60,000-capacity MISC and Nyayo National Stadium were still closed for renovations.

The option of the fixture being played behind closed doors was vehemently opposed by the two sets of the clubs’ passionate fans.

The second leg match between the two foes is scheduled for April 6.

Elsewhere, Tusker coach Charles Okere has said he won’t sleep until forward Ryan Ogam rediscovers his form as they face Shabana in a rescheduled league game at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos Wednesday.

In the other game of the day, KCB, who have been blowing hot and cold, clash with Mathare United at SportPesa Arena in Machakos.

Tusker’s Ogam, with a league high 15 goals to his name,  has not seen the back of the net in the last five matches. 

“I’m really helping Ogam in training to rediscover his form and get his confidence back. In football sometimes you are on top and sometimes you are down,” said Okere.