Mashemeji Derby in Limbo as Reports Cast Doubt on Saturday Kickoff at Nyayo Stadium

The fate of Saturday’s Mashemeji Derby between Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards hangs in the balance with emerging reports suggesting the 98th edition of the country's biggest football rivalry is set to be shelved yet again. 

Supporters of the two giants may have to wait even longer for the highly anticipated blockbuster fixture, as fresh logistical complications regarding venue unavailability have thrown the weekend's plans into disarray.

Initially scheduled for Sunday, November 30, the match was moved to Saturday, November 29, in a bid to secure a venue. However, this rescheduled plan has reportedly hit a dead end. The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has been forced into a difficult corner after Nyayo National Stadium, the facility identified for the rescheduled clash, was declared unavailable for sporting activities over the weekend.

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According to reports by Mozzart Sport, the specific conflict arises from preparations for a national state function. Nyayo Stadium is set to host the World AIDS Day Commemorative Event on Monday, December 1. Consequently, the facility has been rendered off-limits for competitions to allow for the setup of the state function, scuttling plans to host the high-intensity match on Saturday afternoon.

Stakeholders have been locked in urgent meetings to salvage the fixture, but the venue's unavailability appears to be a decisive hurdle. 

A source close to the situation indicated that despite frantic efforts to keep the Saturday date, the logistical barriers proved insurmountable.

"The derby is off. The club held several discussions attempting to have the match played on Saturday, but those efforts have been unsuccessful. The clash has now been postponed to a later date that FKF will communicate," the official told local publication Mozzart Sport.

The root of this venue crisis stems from conflicting schedules at Nairobi's primary sporting facility, the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani. The derby was originally set to be played there on Sunday, November 30. 

However, that plan collapsed after the venue was booked by league debutants Nairobi United, who are hosting AS Maniema Union of DR Congo in a crucial CAF Confederation Cup group-stage assignment.

Under CAF regulations, continental matches take precedence over local league fixtures. Nairobi United, eager to secure their first group stage win after a 3-0 loss to Wydad AC in Morocco, successfully secured the stadium. This forced Gor Mahia to urgently seek an alternative ground, ultimately leading them to Nyayo Stadium and prompting the initial date change which has now seemingly failed.

This latest adjustment marks the third postponement of the Mashemeji Derby this year, continuing a frustrating trend of venue crises for the storied clash.

 In the previous season, the fixture was postponed twice—first on March 2 and again on May 11—due to the unavailability of both Nyayo and Kasarani Stadiums, which were undergoing renovation works ahead of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).

The faithful Green Army and Ingwe supporters must now wait for the FKF to break the deadlock and confirm when this historic rivalry will finally resume.