All is set for the eagerly awaited Mashemeji Derby between Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards, which will be hosted in Homa Bay at the newly refurbished Raila Odinga Stadium. The fixture, set for Monday, June 2, 2025, at 3:00 PM, promises to be one of the most crucial and exciting encounters of the 2024/25 FKF Premier League season.
This will be the 97th meeting between the two sides, and it comes at a pivotal point in the title race, especially for Gor Mahia, who are still in the hunt for the league crown. Originally scheduled for May 8 at the Kasarani Stadium, the match had to be rescheduled and relocated due to restrictions placed on the venue by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Kasarani, along with Nyayo Stadium, remains unavailable as renovations continue ahead of the rescheduled 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).
The move to Homa Bay has led to logistical changes, particularly for fans who had already secured their tickets for the initial venue. For those unable or unwilling to travel, ticket refunds will be processed. Fans who purchased tickets online will be contacted directly by the ticketing provider with refund instructions. The process will involve communication through the contact details used during the ticket purchase, and refunds will be issued accordingly.
Despite the back-and-forth regarding the venue, the match’s confirmation for Homa Bay now appears all but official. Organizers are finalizing preparations, and the ticketing process is already underway. Fans are urged to purchase their tickets early, as no sales will be conducted at the stadium on match day to avoid congestion and enhance security.
There are two ways for fans to secure their tickets: via USSD by dialing 51955# or through the website Tikiti.co.ke. The pricing structure is straightforward regular tickets will be available for KES 300, while VVIP tickets are priced at KES 3,000. Car parking passes are also available at KES 300. With this edition of the derby being held outside of Nairobi for the first time in several years, ticket demand is expected to be high, especially among fans in the Nyanza region.
On the pitch, the stakes could not be higher. Gor Mahia are currently third in the league standings with 54 points, just one behind Tusker who sit second, and seven behind leaders Kenya Police. However, Gor have a game in hand, giving them a chance to close the gap significantly. A win against Leopards would bring them within four points of the top with two matches to play against Ulinzi Stars and Kenya Police making the title race go down to the wire.
AFC Leopards, while not in the title picture, have ambitions of their own. The team is currently sixth with 46 points and is looking to finish as high as possible in the final standings. A win in the derby would be a morale booster and provide a strong finish to their campaign.
With intense rivalry, title implications, and an enthusiastic fanbase ready to travel and support their teams, this edition of the Mashemeji Derby promises to be more than just a match it’s set to be a spectacle. Fans are advised to act early, secure their tickets, and prepare for what could be one of the most memorable derbies in recent times.
