Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno: Why Hosting the Mashemeji Derby in Homa Bay is Perfect for Gor Mahia’s Title Push

Gor Mahia coach Zedekiah 'Zico' Otieno has welcomed Gor Mahia's decision to host the upcoming Mashemeji Derby against AFC Leopards closer 'home' in Homa Bay.

Gor Mahia coach  Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno believes hosting the upcoming Mashemeji Derby in Homa Bay  will give the game a different feel and a sense of community when they play AFC Leopards at the Raila Odinga Stadium (ROSH) next Monday. 

For the first time in a long time, the derby, which is set to be the 97th clash between both sides, will be played outside Nairobi after both Kasarani and Nyayo Stadia were rendered unavailable for use.

Gor Mahia, who will be using the game as a golden chance make significant strides in the battle for the Premier League title, will be the hosts for the game, with a majority of the club’s fans coming from the lakeside Nyanza region.

Speaking in a press conference held prior to the game, Zico was in full agreement with the hierarchy’s decision to take the game to Homabay, advocating for future derbies to be held in Western Kenya, where a majority of fans are.

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Zico: It is a Positive Thing

With the game set to be played close to home, the coach feels this adds an extra layer of encouragement. “Seeing that it's being played at our home area, which is a very positive thing… this is what derbies are supposed to be,” he noted, before suggesting future venues to bring the spectacle even closer to fans. 

“I think next time we should play AFC Leopards in Kakamega or Busia or Mumias.”

Zico: A Good Opportunity For Us

“I think it will be a great match, and it's another opportunity for us to try and close the gap with the leaders in the league,” he said, underlining the importance of the tie. “So it's a very good opportunity for us.”

While fans demand victories, especially at a club of Gor Mahia’s stature, the coach knows the pressure that comes with the badge. “At Gor Mahia, it's always about winning. And we know we have very demanding fans — that one we know.”

But as much as he embraces the hunger for success, he called on the K’Ogalo faithful to stand by the team through thick and thin. “For me, it's just to ask them to come and support the team for the 90 minutes. Football — you can score at any time, so long as the game is not over,” he said.

 “They should not give up hope with the team when we are maybe trailing. They should continue supporting the team up to the last minute.”

He also appealed for maturity in how fans handle the outcome, regardless of the result. “It's very important sometimes to take all the results with dignity. Because in a game of football you only have three results — a win, a loss, or a draw, if it's not a knockout game.”

He added that disappointment should be met with perspective. “It's always good to take any result with dignity because there's always a next time. In football, you can't be winning all your matches. If other teams are coming knowing that you're going to beat them, why should there be a competition?”

As Gor Mahia prepares for the clash, he promised the team would remain true to itself. “For us as a team, we just want to bring our style, our identity, and also our quality to the match and try to win the game.”

Summing up the intensity of derby day, he noted: “As I’ve said before, it's an important match. Everybody knows about the derby. There are no easy matches in derbies. 

“There are no favorites in derbies. But if we bring our character into the game, I think we have a very big chance of winning the game.”

Gor Mahia sit third on 54 points after 32 games. A win for them would put them just four points behind leaders Kenya Police, who sit top on 61 points.

The Green Army will next face Ulinzi Stars, before ending the season against Police in what will be a crunch title decider.