- Nyayo Stadium finally approved for AFC Leopards vs. Gor Mahia clash
- Previous attempts to host the fixture at Nyayo were denied
- Match confirmed for Sunday, March 30, 2025
After two postponements, the highly anticipated Mashemeji Derby between AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia is now set to take place on Sunday, March 30, 2025, at Nyayo Stadium.
In an official communication on Friday, March 21, the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) confirmed that Sports Kenya had granted both teams access to the newly renovated facility.
Previous Attempts Blocked
The clash had faced multiple setbacks earlier in the season, with two previous efforts to stage it at Nyayo Stadium being rejected. This led to uncertainty over the biggest club fixture in Kenyan football.
Back in November 2024, the stadium was deemed unfit to host matches, despite AFC Leopards making an official request to use the venue.
By late February 2025, confusion escalated when AFC Leopards announced two different venues for the match-Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, and Nyayo Stadium-only for both to be unavailable.
FKF later clarified that AFC had failed to secure a suitable stadium, leaving the match in limbo.
Nyayo’s Approval Raises Questions
The decision to approve Nyayo Stadium for the derby came as a surprise, considering that just weeks earlier, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) had cleared the same venue to host Kenya’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Gabon on Sunday, March 23.
A few weeks later, the stadium reopened after eight months when Kenya’s U17 women’s team defeated Uganda 3-0 in the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers, second round.
Nyayo Stadium Among CHAN 2025 Venues
Nyayo is one of the key venues expected to host matches during the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in August, alongside Kasarani Stadium.
With the Mashemeji Derby now confirmed, fans can finally look forward to one of the most exciting fixtures in Kenyan football.
