Mashemeji Derby: Venue headache rocks fixture

Organisers are scratching their heads over the venue for this Sunday's Mashemeji derby, with host club chairman, AFC Leopards Dan Shikanda writing to Sports Kenya to avail the Nyayo National Stadium for the anticipated blockbuster fixture against champions Gor Mahia.

According to Shikanda, should Sports Kenya fail to grant them access to Nyayo, they will opt for a derby in Uganda or Rwanda at a later date.

“The derby must be played which is very important for the country. If we won’t manage to get a response - regarding the availability of Nyayo Stadium - then we will have no other option but to move the clash to Uganda or Rwanda at a later date.

Shikanda affirmed he won’t accept to host a high-voltage match of that magnitude in an alternative venue other than Nyayo or Kasarani.

“We can’t play at any other venue if not Kasarani or Nyayo. We are told that Kasarani is still under construction because the canopy mounting is not yet completed. So we have written to Sports Kenya for Nyayo Stadium, which is a possibility, we will play the derby at Nyayo this Sunday from 4:00 PM,” Shikanda said.

Leopards had sought to use Kasarani but the canopy mounting is yet to be completed.

“We are expecting a positive response from the government on the Nyayo Stadium availability. I want to ask Leopards fans to come in large numbers to rally behind their team, should the Nyayo e be confirmed to stage the biggest fixture in the country,”Shikanda said.

Leopards were set to host their arch-rivals Gor in November last year in their first leg FKF-Premier League fixture but the match was postponed due to venue unavailability.