The mashemeji derby is now becoming less of a spectacle. Gone were the days when you had both teams competing on the pitch. These days, all you get is Gor Mahia picking up their 3 points as they match forward to yet another title-clinching campaign.
AFC Leopards were meek in the first leg this season and outclassed in the second leg by a Gor Mahia side that approach this game with pride and a sense that they are the better side. AFC Leopard’s last win in the derby dates as far back as 2016! To put it in perspective, the country has held general elections, TWICE, disputed over the outcome, found a solution in a handshake and even held an anniversary on the same and yet AFC Leopards have not beaten Gor Mahia in a football match over that duration!
Coaches have been hired and fired(quite a lot) new players brought in at the Den including Kenyan Internationals but still, none of these factors seem to push AFC Leopards towards a win against their arch-rivals. The fans are clearly tired of losing too.
Instead of celebrating goals, the fans have been reduced to mercilessly ripping out the seats at the Kasarani stadium on derby day. Not the best way to show your anger but you get the point. AFC Leopards are nowhere near Gor Mahia.
The manner in which the players drop their heads after conceding proves that Cassa Mbungo has a lot of work on his hands, and mouth. Someone needs to have a word with the players because, for all of the clubs failures in management, the 11 on the pitch are the true representation of the club.
Football is a game of pride, especially against your arch rivals. AFC Leopards have been meekly surrendering to their rivals and the worst part is it does not seem like it will stop anytime soon. Sunday was just another reminder that there is still a long way to go before AFC Leopards can compete with Gor Mahia, both on the table and in the 180 minutes that they play each other every season.