Shakava beats war drums ahead of Mashemeji Derby cup final

Gor Mahia captain Harun Shakava has outlined the importance of winning the Football Kenya Federation Cup final match pitting them against their fiercest rivals AFC Leopards on Sunday afternoon.

With the CAF Champions League ticket - normally a preserve of league champions - gone, Gor and Ingwe will equally be battling to win the cup title for a chance to make it to the CAF Confederation Cup. And there is no further motivation needed for both teams in a fixture of such history and grand nature.

Despite Ingwe failing to beat Gor Mahia since 2016, Shakava was quick to point the difference in the occasion that lies in wait. That notwithstanding, the returning captain emphasized how important the match was for the record Kenyan champions if they are to book that remaining continental ticket.

“A cup final is very tough. We are ready for it and we know what is at stake. We just hope we have a good day on Sunday and that is a win,” the player is quoted on the club’s portals.

The task at hand is not made any easy for Gor with the fact that they have not tasted any cup victory since 2013. Also, Ingwe defeated K’Ogalo the last time the two sides met in a 2013 cup final, Peter ‘Pinchez’ Opiyo, now with Nairobi City Stars, scoring the solitary match winner.

To add to Gor Mahia’s woes, unearthed midfield revelation Alpha Onyango is set to miss the clash due to a back injury while right back Philemon Otieno misses the clash following a red card picked up against Bidco United in the semifinals.

Should any of the clubs win the final, they will also have to settle the arrears owed to their former employees for them to be given the green light to participate in the continental tournament.