- Gor Mahia have started the season well and are second in the standings
- AFC Leopards are winless this season
- Leopards earned four points from Gor last season
Arch rivals Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards face off on Saturday evening in the first leg of this season’s Mashemeji Derby, each coming into the game with contrasting fortunes.
Leopards are under pressure having failed to win a single match in five outings this season, as they have drawn four and lose one.
On the other end, Gor are second in the FKF Premier League standings and five points ahead having won two and drawn three.
Pressure is on Leopards and their head coach Tom Juma to change the tide, with fans growing impatient with the results. This is despite massive activity in pre-season where the club brought more than 15 new players into the fold after a transfer ban that lasted two seasons.
Head coach Tom Juma is walking on thin ice ahead of the game, and knows for sure that winning the derby will almost certainly restore all the faith in him.
“Every coach is always under pressure. This is football,” Juma said.
He adds; “We have had a slow start yes, but it is only five games. In the previous two seasons, AFC has always had a slow start. But this is not good and neither is it an excuse. There is no cause for alarm and we will get where we want. We will do our best and play each game as a final.”
Perfect platform to bounce back
Tom Juma (right) and his assistant coach Fred Ambani
Winger Jaffary Owiti believes the game will provide them a perfect platform to bounce back and could easily be the turning point of their season.
We know it can be a turning point for us as a team. There is motivation for us as players. The game itself is a motivation because it is a massive game. We haven’t started the season well but in this match, a lot can change,” Owiti said.
Meanwhile, Gor Mahia are not taking AFC lightly despite their purple patch and coach Jonathan McKinstry has warned his players they should keep maximum concentration to ensure victory.
“The gap (between Gor and AFC) isn’t as big as the table would suggest. We got to be aware that maybe three goals would have swung the results because there is a very thin line between a draw and a win. We know that if we let them in, we can provide an opportunity for them to punish us and if we play at our best, nine out of 10 we will beat them,” the Irishman said.
Leopards beat Gor last season
AFC Leopards players celebrate their win over Gor Mahia
Last season, Leopards beat Gor 2-1 in the second leg, having drawn 0-0 in the first leg. McKinstry is keen to see his side make amends for the drop in points, and says the team has prepared well and are ready for battle.
“We are ready for the game, and we are ready to give our best. We know that derbies are always difficult because it is a game fought by tooth and nail. But we got to give our best for victory,” the coach said.
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