'Mashemeji derby': AFC Leopards make Sh3million

AFC Leopards on Tuesday announced that Sh3.3 million was collected from Sunday's 'Mashemeji derby' against eternal rivals Gor Mahia at Nyayo National Stadium.

The two big clubs with massive following played out to a barren draw in the clash which Ingwe says was attended by over 10,000 fans. Nyayo Stadium has a capacity of hosting 45,000 fans.

"Slightly over 10,000 tickets were snapped up for the weekend #MashemejiDerby, making it our most-attended match in the league this season so far. 461 of those tickets were for the VIP section and 9565 were for the terraces," said a statement from Leopards, who were the home side.

"It is another moment we thank the club fans for turning up in their numbers and making the match lively," added the statement.

From the sale of the regular tickets, the team got Sh2,869,500, while Sh461,000 was collected from the sale of VIP tickets.

The VIP tickets were going for Sh1000, while fans paid Sh300 for regular tickets.

However, the statement didn't factor in the expenses and the remaining balance after paying for different services.

However, a section of Ingwe fans have insisted that the stadium was almost full, compared to the figures stipulated.

They also want the club to reveal the total expenditure incurred by virtue of being the home team, and how much the club took home at the end of the day.

They also asked the club to shed light on the number of tickets printed, how much the stadium management pocketed, what was paid to the security, ambulance and extra personnel among other expenditures.

"Fans were all over the stadium and the figures should be more than what has been announced. The stadium was almost full. Openness and transparency will help the club grow," said Ingwe fan Billy Clinton Endeche.

The draw meant that Ingwe have not beaten Gor Mahia for seven years. Leopards last beat K'Ogalo in 2016.

However, Leopards were the better side in the contest and wasted a lot of goal scoring opportunities which would have nailed the game in their favour.

The huge turn out was credited to the hype created by former players of the two clubs.

CF Montreal Impact midfielder Victor Wanyama and Al Duhail striker Michael Olunga were among the players who hyped the derby among other Kenyan internationals.

Wanyama vouched for AFC Leopards, while Olunga supported Gor Mahia where he played before turning professional abroad.

Before the match their were fears that opposition chief Raila Odinga’s rally at Jacaranda Grounds in the Eastlands would affect the the turnout since he has a strong support from fans of the two clubs.