Former Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards defender Eric Masika has criticised management of both teams for the failed Mahemeji derby.
Former Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards defender Eric Masika has faulted Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards management for the postponement of the Mashemeji derby.
Masika, who began his professional career in 2009 with Gor Mahia before switching to The Den in 2012, said as much as people claim the Mashemeji Derby is losing its spark, he said the leadership of both teams must be held accountable.
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“I am disappointed with how the Mashemeji Derby is being handled. Some people claim the derby is losing its spark, but that’s not the case. The truth is, the management of both teams has failed the fans and stakeholders,” he told Mozzart Sport.
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The derby was early this month postponed for the second time this season. According to the initial season fixture list, the first-round meeting was set for November 24, 2024, but was postponed due to venue issues. A new date of March 2 was called off after the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) confirmed that Leopards, the designated home team, had failed to secure a suitable venue for the clash.
Traditionally, the derby has been played either at the Nyayo or Kasarani Stadiums but the facilities were closed for renovation in preparation for the AfricaNations Championships and the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. With the fixtures and potential meeting dates being provided at the start of the season, Masika said an alternative venue should have been considered.
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“We get the fixture schedule before the season begins, including tentative dates and venues. We all knew that Kasarani and Nyayo would be under renovation, so what was the plan? The club officials should have borrowed a leaf from those who managed the derby in the past—those guys truly valued it.”
Masika said it was ironic that the second leg matches are ongoing yet the first leg of the derby is not yet played. “Imagine we are already in the second leg of the season, yet we still don’t have a date for the first (Mashemeji Derby) fixture because of venue issues. If the club leaders were serious about planning, the derby would retain the passion it has always had.”
Masika knows the importance of the Mashemeji derby, having played in a lot of them during his time.
