Tickets fly off shelves as rivals AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia gear up for Mashemeji derby

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FKFPL Tickets fly off shelves as rivals AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia gear up for Mashemeji derby

Festus Chuma 13:04 - 04.10.2023

Mashemeji Derby tickets for the AFC Leopards versus Gor Mahia clash go on sale, but slow sales raise anticipation questions.

The hype surrounding the upcoming Mashemeji Derby between arch-rivals AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia has reached fever pitch as tickets for the much-anticipated clash on Saturday, October 7 are now officially on sale.

Football enthusiasts and loyal supporters are scrambling to secure their seats for what promises to be a thrilling showdown between these two titans of Kenyan football.

AFC Leopards, the designated home team for this derby, has confirmed that tickets can be purchased through the club's official website. The pricing tiers cater to fans of various preferences, with VVIP tickets commanding a premium at Ksh1000, VIP tickets available at Ksh500, and Terraces offering an affordable option at Ksh300.

Despite the expansive capacity of the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani, which can accommodate up to 60,000 spectators, AFC Leopards has chosen to make only 44,060 tickets available for purchase.

This decision has sparked curiosity among fans, with 15,940 seats seemingly reserved or inaccessible. Questions linger about the reasoning behind this allocation strategy, especially considering the potential for a sold-out stadium.

As of Wednesday at mid-day, a mere 22 tickets have been reported as sold, according to figures on the official Leopards website. This surprisingly low number raises eyebrows, given the historical significance and intense rivalry associated with the Mashemeji Derby. 

Fans are speculating whether this slow start in ticket sales is indicative of reserved anticipation or if a last-minute surge is expected as the match day approaches.

The upcoming derby, scheduled to kick off at 3 PM, holds the promise of being the first match of the season to nearly fill the Kasarani to capacity. Football enthusiasts and analysts alike are eagerly awaiting the spectacle, anticipating a charged atmosphere that only a clash of this magnitude can produce.

The last derby between these two powerhouses saw AFC Leopards emerge victorious with a 2-1 win over Gor Mahia. This triumph has undoubtedly added an extra layer of excitement to this season's encounter, as Gor Mahia seeks redemption and AFC Leopards aims to maintain their winning streak against their fierce rivals.

While the current ticket sales figures may not reflect the immense fanfare expected for such a marquee fixture, there is a prevailing sense that the numbers are likely to surge as the weekend approaches. 

The Mashemeji Derby has a storied history of capturing the imagination of football enthusiasts across Kenya, and it is anticipated that the stands will be a sea of vibrant colours and passionate chants come match day.

In the lead-up to the derby, fans are encouraged to secure their tickets promptly to avoid missing out on this electrifying clash. 

The stakes are high, the rivalry is intense, and the atmosphere promises to be nothing short of spectacular as Kenyan football enthusiasts eagerly await the showdown between AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia at the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani. 

The countdown to kick-off has begun, and the anticipation is palpable as fans gear up for a football spectacle like no other.