Asibwa tells AFC Leopards how to secure derby win against Gor Mahia

The 98th FKF Premier League derby between Kenya’s most feared giants Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards will come down on Sunday at Nyayo Stadium.

The eagerly awaited Mashemeji derby will come at a time when record Kenyan champions Gor Mahia have already opened a four point lead ahead of their sworn-rivals in the FKF Premier League.

While Gor Mahia are sitting top of the 18 – Premier League table with 19 points garnered from six wins, one draw and two defeats, AFC Leopards are placed seventh with 14 points accumulated from three wins, five draws and one defeat.

Gor Mahia have been dominating this fixture for the couple of years. During the last five meetings in the league, AFC Leopards have managed to beat Gor Mahia once. The fixture was played during the 2022/23 campaign when Ingwe scored through Maxwell Otieno, and Victor Omune to triumph 2-1.

AFC Leopards can easily win this derby

Former AFC Leopards defender Reginald Asibwa believes AFC Leopards have a good squad to get something from the derby.

“First and foremost the pressure is on Gor Mahia, they have an avalanche of players in the national team and are poised to win. It is a battle of David and Goliath from the onset,” said Asibwa as quoted by Flashscore.

“Nevertheless, AFC Leopards can easily win this derby by one not conceding a goal in the early stages of the game and two by frustrating Gor Mahia with anti-football tactics.

“You saw what Chelsea did to Arsenal in the Premier League derby on Sunday, man-to-man marking, no breathing space and l think the coach and the technical bench body language should depict confidence in the playing unit.

“If our players have the fear in their stomach then it will be a very difficult game. But if our players remain calm, play with confidence and even have a look at what APS Bomet did to Gor Mahia, they can as well do it.”

On his prediction on the game, he replied: “The only thing I know is that AFC Leopards is relatively a younger team with less experience and exposure but they have posted slightly above average results.

“On the other hand, Gor Mahia were beaten by Bidco United in the season opener and recently by APS Bomet which is a clear indication that on a good day AFC Leopards can too bring them down.

“In fact the last time they played, the match was at Gor Mahia compound in the former Nyanza which ended in a share of the spoils. It is an open derby and for derbies worldwide, form takes a back seat.”

Last season, there was no winner from the derby as the two-legged fixture ended in draws.

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