The 98th edition of the famous Mashemeji Derby between Football Kenya Federation Premier League bitter rivals Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards this Sunday, December 7, 2025, will only be watched by 18,000 fans at the Nyayo National Stadium.

Normally, the historic fixture pulls crowds as the two sides command the largest fanbase in the country’s football ecosystem. However, things will not be as usual this time around.

Speaking to local media ahead of the much-anticipated fixture that has bragging rights at stake, Gor Mahia FC Secretary General Nicanor Arum has confirmed that only 78.6 per cent of the stadium’s capacity will be occupied, amounting to 18,000 over the 22,900 seats following the latest renovations at the facility.

According to Arum, the move to have fewer fans at Nyayo Stadium on Sunday is to control the crowd and uphold the safety of spectators in accordance with Sports Kenya directives on high-risk fixtures such as the Mashemeji Derby.

Sports Kenya has, on different occasions, banned both Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards from using its sports venues over fan misconduct and damage to property during the Mashemeji Derby.

Match preparations

”After we paid to use the facility, Sports Kenya insisted that we conduct three pre-event meetings before Sunday to firm up match hosting arrangements,” he said, while revealing that the number has been scaled down to 18, 000 spectators.

The Mashemeji Derby was previously held at the Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay on June 2, 2025, a match that ended in a 1-1 draw. That occasion marked the first time the derby was played outside Nairobi.

Ahead of Sunday’s game, the tickets went on sale on Monday, December 1, 2025, retailing at Ksh200 regular, Ksh1000 VIP and Ksh5000 VVIP. On matters of security, still, Arum said: ”There will be 100 stewards from Gor Mahia and 30 from AFC Leopards.”

The Mashemeji Derby, played on March 30, 2025, was filled beyond capacity, raising fears of safety.

The upcoming match was initially scheduled for Saturday, November 29, 2025, in Nairobi, but was postponed and moved to a new date and venue due to stadium unavailability.

Meanwhile, for the first time in the Mashemeji Derby history, the main event pitting the men’s sides will be preceded by the match involving the ladies’ teams, AFC Leopardess and Gor Mahia Queens, starting at 12:00 local time.