Lack of a proper match venue to host the famous Mashemeji Derby pitting AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia resulted in the postponement of the high-stakes fixture.
Through a statement, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) revealed that the fixture originally slated for Sunday, May 11, would have to be rescheduled after the Moi International Sports Centre, Gor’s preferred venue for the clash, was deemed unavailable by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
“The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) wishes to inform the public that the FKF Premier League match between Gor Mahia FC and AFC Leopards SC, originally scheduled for Sunday, May 11, 2025, has been postponed,” FKF stated.
As per CAF, the stadium with a capacity of 60,000 would remain out of bounds due to final preparations ahead of the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN), which Kenya is one of the competition’s host nations.
“The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has directed that the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani- the initially proposed venue- remains unavailable due to final preparations ahead of the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN), for which it is a designated competition venue,” FKF noted.
The fixture was further put into jeopardy after the next proposed venue by CAF, the Ulinzi Sports Complex, declined to host the match, citing security concerns. CAF had even proposed to have the match played behind closed doors, something that would have been met with heavy resistance from fans of the two arch-rivals.
“Despite CAF proposing the fixture to be held behind closed doors to preserve CHAN infrastructure and maintain security standards, the venue declined to host the match, citing internal concerns around safety and the risk of vandalism,” FKF expressed.
This left the match without any proper venue, as the other option, Nyayo Stadium, is currently closed—albeit temporarily—to facilitate further renovations in readiness for CHAN and the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2027.
The latest development is feared to bring greater ramifications, as only five rounds of matches remain in the current season, with the final games scheduled for May 31. FKF is expected to submit the league winner to CAF by July 1.
Gor Mahia, the derby’s hosts, are currently in a heated battle for the league title, sitting in second place, five points behind current leaders Kenya Police FC—albeit with a game still to play. AFC Leopards sit sixth with 42 points and are currently seven points off a top-four finish.
This is not the first time the derby has been rescheduled this season, as the first leg also faced a similar situation before it was eventually held at Nyayo Stadium.
Even so, FKF pledged a swift resolution to the current situation, noting the great significance of the clash pitting two of Kenya’s most successful teams.
“This fixture remains one of the most anticipated on the Kenyan football calendar, and we regret the inconvenience this change may cause to supporters, clubs, and partners,” FKF remarked.
