The Kenyan football governing body, FKF, dismissed AFC leopards’ request to postpone the 95th Mashemeji derby slated for January 29.
AFC Leopards, through their Chief Executive Victor Bwibo, had requested the postponement of the match to Sunday, February 5, to outlay the required logistic ahead of the much-awaited derby.
“This letter is to respectfully request that our match against Gor Mahia FC, rescheduled for Sunday, January 29, 2023, at 3.00 pm, be pushed back to Sunday, February 5, 2023, at the same time and venue, as we had earlier requested,” Said Victor Bwibo in a statement.
“Given that this is a signature FKFPL match, the logistical outlay is substantial and requires extensive planning.,” he added.
However, speaking exclusively to this scribe, FKF CEO Barry Otieno revealed that Leopard’s request had been declined, and the match would proceed as scheduled.
“In a normal season, the march would have been moved to a later date, but the current season is short, and there is a CAF deadline for both the winner of the cup and the winner of the league.,” he disclosed.
“The federation is supposed to submit the winners of both by June 30, 2023.” He added.
Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards clash in the biggest match as far as local club football is concerned on Sunday 3 pm in a Football Kenya Federation Premier League fixture.
This will be the 95th Mashemeji Derby between the country’s most successful clubs, who have 32 league titles between them.
K’Ogalo has won 34 times, Leopards have emerged victorious on 28 occasions, and 32 ties have ended in draws.
