THE MUCH HYPED “MASHEMEJI”DERBY ENDS UP IN 2-2 DRAW:

BY EMBUKANE VINCENT LIBOSSO

L

Ast weekend; the much hyped “mashemeji derby” pitting two of Kenya’s oldest football clubs, Gor Mahia against AFC Leopards; lived up to its billing as both teams bagged home a point a piece. The thrilling Sunday afternoon encounter at Moi Kasarani; ended in a 2-2 draw.

But away from the grueling battle on the pitch; chants, raves, dancing and the noise from “Russia”; the terraces as they are known in local football language; kept the derby alive; motivated the boys and frenzied throughout.

From as early as 10 am; fans from both teams had began thronging the Kasarani stadium- some on foot; others on public service and those with swag; on their classy cars. Fans from both teams turned out in large numbers donning their team colors with pomp and pride.

The crowd deserves a pat on the back for maintaining peace. Despite the occasional taunting; the peaceful atmosphere from both sides prevailed. At certain points; the friendly mien was completed with a Mexican wave. What a fun place it was to be in.

Back to the pitch and the rivals displayed a thrilling game from the onset with Paul Kiongera’s close range strike hitting the wood-work in the opening minutes. Come the 15^th minute and Kiongera was at it again; when he beat his marker and faced Patrick Matasi in the Leopard’s goal, but the custodian stopped the first shot.

Kiongera could not score from the rebound either and instead; hit the post and was cleared by Leopard’s defenders.

The miss left K’ogalo faithful in dismay as their Ingwe counterparts celebrated.

But as both teams tried to settle; Allan Wanga, who was a thorn in Gor’s defense, outpaced his marker in the 34^th minute before executing a superb cross that landed on Noah Wafula’s foot; who made no mistake in tapping the ball home with Jerim Onyango well beaten. It was Wafula’s first goal in the derby.

Come the second half; inspired by the first half goal; and Ingwe were back stronger. In the 50^th minute; Paul Were doubled the lead after a well-taken pass from Edward Seda.

A determined Gor side showed their intensity to fight back and a n amazing quality of football showdown that saw the same thorn that haunted Ingwe; Dan Sserenkuma capitalize on AFC’S defensive error, to reduce the deficit.

But it was David Owino who brought the stadium down with his clinical volley in the dying 85^th minute. He scored a brace last year in Gor 2-1 win and a solitary goal in the first leg.

The derby now leaves Gor firmly on top of the log with 41 points; while Leopards are now third with 32 points. Ulinzi are second with 33 points; Sofapaka come fourth with 32 points and Thika United close the top-five bar with 32 points. Only 9 matches are remaining to the close of the Leagues’ season!