The 83rd Mashemeji Derby on Sunday at the Kasarani Stadium managed to raise Ksh3.9 million from gate takings according to official figures released by AFC Leopards on Monday.
In total 18,977 fans paid to watch the biggest rivalry in the Kenyan Premier league in which Gor Mahia edged out their nemesis 2-1 to affirm their authority in the highly anticipated tie. 385 fans bought VIP tickets that were going for Ksh 500 to raise a total of Ksh192,500.
While majority fans (18,592) bought the relatively cheaper “Russia” tickets that were selling at Ksh200 hence raising a total of Ksh3,718,400.
The club banked Sh2,449,150 after all expenses that included stadium, security hire among other match-day expenditures.
The improved numbers can be attributed to aggressive marketing that was done by the league’s sponsor SportPesa days to the game.
Ingwe chairman Dan Mule has also reiterated that Argentine coach Rodolfo Zapata is at “the den” to stay despite rumors that he was to resign after the derby
Prior to the 2-1 defeat at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, Zapata had on Friday last week revealed to local media that he will decide his future after the fixture.
According to sources within the den, the 52-year-old feels frustrated by interference from a section of executive committee members and wants more control of the team.
“With or without me, Leopards has a bright future,” said Zapata during the team’s penultimate training session ahead of Sunday’s game in Limuru last week.
On Sunday, at a packed Kasarani stadium, league leaders Gor went 12 points clear of second-placed Sofapaka with 52 points albeit with three games in hand and 16 ahead of fifth-placed Leopards thanks to Jacques Tuyisenge and George “Blackberry” Odhiambo goals.
Ingwe danger man Whyvonne Isuza scored Ingwe’s consolation and his 10th of the season.
The former Gaborone United of Botswana coach was confronted by furious Leopards fans on his way out of the dressing room with chants of “you must resign” renting the dark corridors of Kasarani dugout.
“The coach is here to stay, he has a contract with us and its pretty clear we’ve a new team full of young players, we’ve to be patient with him and give him time,” Mule said of the coach who has won six, drawn four and lost twice in 12 games since taking charge in May. He urged club fans to be patient with the current technical bench as constituted.
“This we can’t achieve by effecting changes on the technical bench every now and then. It’s normal to be angry when you lose in a derby but the boys played well just that we were unlucky,” he concluded.
His sentiments were echoed by Zapata, who replaced interim coach Dennis Kitambi three months ago signing a 15-month contract.
“We had a good meeting with the chairman after the derby and my plan is to take AFC to the next level, “We’ve a good present and bright future that with consistency and continuity program we can be the best.”
Ingwe will return to action on Wednesday against little known Mwatate United in the Sportpesa Shield at the same venue. With the league gone, Zapata must ensure they defend the title they won last season which will guarantee them continental football next season.
Leopards are huge favorites in the match and will be buoyed by the return of Captain Duncan Otieno who missed the derby due to suspension.
Gor Mahia will also face Posta Rangers at the same in the early kick-off match before traveling to Tanzania to face Yanga FC on Sunday in the CAF CC.