Gor Mahia fans in full song at last week’s aborted Mashemeji Derby. Their team won 2-1 at Bandari on August 29, 2015 to inch closer to a third successive title. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya
NAIROBI, September 30 – Police have cancelled Thursday’s SportPesa Premier League matches involving local giants Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards on security grounds.
The Kenyan Premier League secretariat confirmed to Capital Sport the games were postponed to avoid clashing with the ongoing Nairobi International Trade Fair that culminates on Sunday.
“There will be no Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards matches as scheduled for tomorrow (Thursday) because the Nairobi Show is on. We will announce the new dates soon,” KPL Leagues and Competition Officer, Phoebe Amuyunzu, announced.
Champions Gor were to host Western Stima at Nyayo National Stadium while struggling Leopards had a tricky encounter with fellow giants Sofapaka at Nairobi City Stadium.
“The SportPesa Premier League matches involving Sofapaka versus AFC Leopards at City Stadium and Gor Mahia versus Western Stima at Nyayo Stadium scheduled for Thursday afternoon have been postponed.
“This follows communication from the Nairobi County Police Commandant stating that they will not be able to provide security for the two matches because they are stretched due to the on-going Nairobi International Trade Fair that is running from September 26 to October 4,” a statement from KPL read.
“Consequently, the league body has postponed the fixtures on security grounds to later in October and November in Kenya’s capital city.”
The last time the arch rivals met in the SPL on August 9 saw their fans engage police in running battles with the game abandoned in the 63rd minute when Ingwe supporters pelted the Nyayo pitch with missiles when K’Ogalo were awarded a penalty.
Gor were awarded the match 2-0 after a disciplinary process that saw both clubs fined Sh1m in total for damages caused when their supporters went on rampage.
Other fixtures that will see the top flight league resume after a two-week break remain intact.
Former champions, Tusker FC welcome Muhoroni Youth in the early kick-off at Nyayo before relegation threatened Nakuru All Stars travel to Mathare United.
