Mashemeji Derby: AFC Leopards captain and deputy exude confidence ahead of Gor Mahia clash
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Reading Time: 3min | Sat. 25.04.26. | 21:17
Ingwe step onto the pitch second on the table with 55 points, just three behind leaders Gor Mahia, a gap small enough to be erased in one afternoon yet large enough to shift the pressure onto whoever falters
AFC Leopards captain Victor Omune and his assistant Kayci Odhiambo are carrying quiet belief into Sunday’s Mashemeji Derby, convinced Ingwe have the mindset and momentum to claim all three points in a clash that could tilt the title race.
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Leopards will host arch rivals Gor Mahia at Nyayo National Stadium in what feels less like a routine fixture and more like a season-defining contest, with the air already thick with expectation ahead of the 3 pm kickoff.
For a rivalry that has seen its fair share of drama over the years, this meeting arrives with sharper edges, as both sides stand within touching distance of the FKF Premier League crown.
Speaking to the press on Saturday morning, Omune made it clear that this is not just another derby circled on the calendar, but a moment that demands conviction, clarity and composure.
“This time it's different. There is a lot at stake, and the way we have prepared mentally as a team has been solid,” he said, his tone measured but firm.
“We believe we deserve to win this match because we have worked really hard to get here, and we are fully ready. It is a big game and one we must win to stay aligned with our mission this season.”
Ingwe step onto the pitch second on the table with 55 points, just three behind leaders Gor Mahia, a gap small enough to be erased in one afternoon yet large enough to shift the pressure onto whoever falters.
The equation is simple but unforgiving, and Omune knows his side must meet the moment with both discipline and hunger.
“We are motivated. We have been performing well this season, and we understand what needs to be done in this match,” he added.
“We know we won last time, and they will not be easy to break down. It will not be a walkover, but we are hoping for the three points.”
Leopards’ most recent outing, however, still lingers like a shadow on the back of the mind, a heavy 3-0 defeat to Kenya Police FC at the same venue that briefly slowed their charge.
Yet inside the Ingwe camp, that result appears to have stirred resolve rather than doubt.
For Odhiambo, who returns from injury at a crucial point in the campaign, the derby offers the perfect stage to turn frustration into fuel.
“As much as we lost our last match, the morale is still high among the fans. I do not think it was a major setback,” he said.
“But bouncing back is our main target on Sunday, and there is nothing better than doing that in a derby. That is exactly what we are aiming for, especially with so much at stake.”
A win for Leopards would draw them level on points with Gor and breathe new life into their title push, while victory for the Charles Akonnor-led side would stretch the gap to six points, giving K’Ogalo a firmer grip on the trophy with only five matches left to play.