Mashemeji derby on as Kerrs plea fall on deaf ears

The Mashemeji derby pitting AFC Leopards against glamour club Gor Mahia set for Saturday will go on as planned despite the pleas by K’Ogalo’s head coach Dylan Kerr and his captain Harun Shakava to have the match postponed.

Kerr and Shakava had launched a passionate appeal on the league management body to post-pone the match in order to give them adequate time to prepare for a defining Caf- Confederations Group D match against USM Algers of Algeria, their final group match that will determine whether they romp to the Cup quarters or not.

Their appeal came in the wake of a calamitous home defeat to a thirsty Rayon Sports of Rwanda in the same competition on Sunday at the Kasarani Stadium.

Gor has two league matches beginning with Sofapaka FC on Wednesday at the Narok Stadium before tackling the old enemy on Saturday. After that they’ll board the plane to Algiers in time for next Wednesday’s clash.

Shakava said: “We are going to represent our country in the CAF Confederation Cup in Algeria so I am requesting KPL to push ahead some of our league matches in order to get enough time to prepare.”

However club deputy Secretary general Ronald Ngala differed with Shakava effectively dealing a hammer blow to the pleas by the technical unit.

According to Ngala, the club had requested KPL to postpone their duel against Sofapaka but their request fell on deaf ears owing to the fact that the league must end by October 7, to allow transition to the Fifa calendar.

Coach Kerr had also pleaded with the league governing body to give them a break from the Premier League until after their Caf decider.

The 16-time champions are at the summit of Group D with 8 points, same as second placed Algers who have an inferior goal difference.

Rwandese representatives Rayon, fresh from humiliating K’Ogalo, are third with 6 points while Yanga is fourth with 4 points from five matches.

Gor is in a must win situation if they are to proceed to the quarters with a Ksh 35 million up for grabs.