Nairobi, Kenya: As Nairobi hosts the Gor Mahia – AFC Leopards derby tomorrow, the ‘Mashemeji’ Derby has this time attracted interest from beyond football lovers.
Moses Tanui, a former Kenyan long-distance runner, who won the 10,000m world title at the 1991 World Championships in Athletics in Tokyo, says it’s time both clubs moved beyond sheer rivalry to conquer the continent.
“I have loved the success of the two teams from my days as a young man, but the two clubs have not reciprocated the love from their fans beyond mere rivalry,” Tanui told FeverPitch on Wednesday.
“I would like to urge those in management of football to focus on making the sport more attractive and result-oriented.
“As a sports personality, I have been following the local football scene and I do believe Gor Mahia FC and AFC Leopards have what it takes to lift Kenyan football to greater heights,’’ Tanui added.
Tanui, 48. was speaking on Wednesday night during the floodlit KPL TOP 8 semi-final match between Gor Mahia and Tusker at Nyayo National Stadium in the company of SuperSport East Africa General Manager Aoka Gecheo.
The two-time Boston marathon winner at the same time congratulated SuperSport for their input towards the development of sports in Kenya and the entire East African region.
“I would like to thank SuperSport for their continued support. Through SuperSport 9East, the world can now watch a number of sporting activities and thus dispelling the notion that Kenya is only an athletics nation.”
The ‘Mashemeji’ Derby, second biggest derby in East Africa after the Tanzania’s Yanga-Simba derby, comes at a time when Leopards are struggling in form and finances.
AFC have had a difficult start to the Kenyan Premier League, sitting 12th in the 16-team table with 11 points from a possible 30. The game will be televised live on SuperSport 9 East from 3pm.
Kenya: As Nairobi hosts the Gor Mahia- AFC Leopards derby tomorrow, the ‘Mashemeji’ Derby has this time attracted interest from beyond football lovers.
By JOHN LAWRENCE, The Standard
