Masaba Makes Derby History as Ingwe Silence Gor Mahia

Julius Masaba delivered a defining Mashemeji Derby moment as AFC Leopards stunned rivals Gor Mahia 1-0 in the 98th edition of Kenya’s biggest football fixture, snapping Ingwe’s three-match winless run and restoring belief among their faithful supporters.

Masaba’s first-half strike proved decisive, condemning the record champions to a second straight FKF Premier League defeat and denying them the chance to reclaim top spot just days after being dislodged by defending champions Kenya Police.

The victory was significant on several fronts. It marked Leopards’ first derby win since the 2023 season and extended head coach Fred Ambani’s remarkable unbeaten run against Gor Mahia, a sequence that now spans his time as both a player and a coach.

Ingwe wasted no time asserting themselves. Inside the opening minute, Kayci Odhiambo delivered a dangerous cross that found Masaba breaking behind the Gor Mahia defence, but the forward overplayed the move and goalkeeper Bryne Omondi recovered to clear the danger.

Gor Mahia responded in the 20th minute with their first meaningful attempt. Enock Morrison launched a long throw into the box and Shariff Musa turned sharply, but his shot was blocked before it could truly trouble the Leopards defence.

Five minutes later, the breakthrough arrived. AFC Leopards stitched together a neat move down the right, with James Kinyanjui sending in a volleyed delivery. The ball fell kindly to Tyson Otieno, whose fierce effort was punched away by Omondi. Masaba reacted fastest, calmly slotting home the rebound to score his maiden Mashemeji Derby goal and send the Ingwe fans into raptures.

The goal shifted momentum. Gor Mahia looked rattled and struggled to impose themselves, while Leopards grew in confidence and nearly doubled their lead before half-time when Victor Omune failed to connect with a teasing cross while unmarked in the box.

Coming into the derby, Gor Mahia had been eager to extend their recent dominance over Ingwe and reclaim first place in the 18-team league table. It was also a landmark occasion for Charles Akonnor, taking charge of his first Mashemeji Derby. The Ghanaian boss named a strong starting eleven that included Harambee Stars regulars Bryne Omondi, Sylvester Owino, Michael Kibwage and Austin Odhiambo.

Fred Ambani, by contrast, stuck with an unchanged side from the previous outing against Kariobangi Sharks, showing faith in James Kinyanjui, Tyson Otieno, Bonface Munyendo and Victor Omune to deliver in the high-stakes encounter.

AFC Leopards continued to look sharper after the break. Just two minutes into the second half, they came agonisingly close to extending their advantage when Tyson Otieno picked out the unmarked Mousa Oundo, whose powerful header crashed off the woodwork.

Sensing the need for fresh legs, Ambani made tactical substitutions past the hour mark, reinforcing midfield and defence as Gor Mahia resorted increasingly to long balls in search of an equaliser. Despite enjoying more possession, K’Ogalo struggled to break down Ingwe’s well-drilled back line.

Late pressure came to nothing. Shariff Musa spurned Gor Mahia’s best chance in stoppage time, firing just over the bar, before Leopards safely saw out the match to seal a famous derby triumph.

The result lifts AFC Leopards to sixth on the FKF Premier League table with 17 points from 10 matches, just two behind Gor Mahia. For Ingwe, it was a night of redemption and renewed hope. For Gor Mahia, it was another painful derby reminder that form and favour count for little on Mashemeji Derby day.