Gor Mahia & AFC Leopards Fans Threatened With Ban From Nyayo Stadium

The strong warning was issued on Tuesday, March 25, to the management of both clubs by the CAF Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) LOC chairman, Nicholas Musonye

Viral Tea Ke Writer Viral Tea Ke Writer
Mar 25, 2025 - 19:06 Updated: Mar 25, 2025 - 19:08
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Gor Mahia & AFC Leopards Fans Threatened With Ban From Nyayo Stadium
A photo of Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi. /CAROL RADULL

Fans of Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League clubs Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards have been put on notice ahead of the highly anticipated Mashemeji Derby clash at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday, March 30.

The strong warning was issued on Tuesday, March 25, to the management of both clubs by the CAF Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) LOC chairman, Nicholas Musonye, who outlined the importance of preserving both Nyayo and Kasarani stadiums ahead of CHAN 2024.

Musonye, who spoke during a press conference, noted that excessive use of the stadiums could compromise their conditions ahead of the tournament slated for August this year.

"We have only four months to CHAN, so if we overplay Kasarani and Nyayo, the stadium will not be in good condition for CHAN," said Nicholas Musonye. 

He cautioned that if any match led to acts of vandalism, such as damaged seats or stone-throwing, both teams would be banned from playing at the venue in the future.

Musonye further stated that although the president had addressed the matter diplomatically, he remained unwavering in his commitment to upholding order.

"But I have said, and I know the president was just polite, if we are going to play a match here and a seat is destroyed, or there are stones being thrown around, those two teams will not be allowed to play here. I hope you understand what I am saying," he warned.

The chairman's comments have elicited mixed responses from supporters of both teams, with some backing the proposal while others doubting his authority to handle stadium-related matters.

Originally set for November 24, 2024, the match was postponed due to ongoing renovations ahead of CHAN. Efforts to reschedule it for March 3 this year were also unsuccessful.

The derby is usually a tense affair between the two teams, with the two clubs originating from the Western region, despite being based in Nairobi, duelling each other since May 5, 1968, making this the oldest rivalry in Kenyan football history.

Fans of both A.F.C. Leopards and Gor Mahia (often referred to by their nicknames, Ingwe and K'Ogalo, respectively) recognize each other as arch-rivals and both collide on violent occasions.

For instance, on April 21, 2024, chaos by both fan bases marred the aftermath of the derby at the Nyayo Stadium, forcing police to intervene by lobbing teargas.

Meanwhile, Nyayo Stadium will play host to a major event for the second consecutive week following a huge turnout on Sunday, March 23, for Kenya's 2026 World Cup qualifier against Gabon.

Ahead of the weekend derby, AFC Leopards has announced that tickets for the game will be sold online from Wednesday to Sunday, and no tickets will be sold on the match day.

A past Gor Mahia vs AFC Leopards match. /KENYA NEWS AGENCY

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