The concrete jungle of Nairobi transformed into a rhythmic sea of blue and white on Sunday evening as AFC Leopards reclaimed the city’s footballing bragging rights in spectacular fashion.

In a high-stakes 98th edition of the Mashemeji Derby at Nyayo National Stadium, Ingwe edged out arch-rivals Gor Mahia 1-0, a result that not only halts K’Ogalo’s recent dominance but injects a volatile energy into the Kenyan Premier League standings.

A Strike for the History Books

The decisive moment arrived early in the first half, setting the tone for a gritty encounter. In the 26th minute, Julius Masaba etched his name into derby folklore, capitalizing on a defensive lapse to slot home the only goal of the match.

Witnesses at the stadium noted that AFC Leopards appeared significantly more hungry for the ball, pressing with an intensity that unsettled the defending champions. This performance compounded a worrying trend for Gor Mahia, who recently suffered a shock defeat to APS Bomet. Analysts suggest the Green Army is struggling to maintain the high standards set earlier in the season.

• Fixture: 98th Mashemeji Derby
• Venue: Nyayo National Stadium
• Result: AFC Leopards 1 - 0 Gor Mahia
• Scorer: Julius Masaba (26')

Carnival at Kencom

The final whistle at 5:00 PM did not mark the end of the event; it merely signaled the beginning of the party. Thousands of the Ingwe faithful poured out of the stadium and marched toward the Central Business District.

By early evening, the area around the Kencom bus stage—a critical transport artery for Nairobians—had been turned into an impromptu dance floor. Traffic briefly slowed as fans, draped in the club's signature hoops, sang traditional isukuti anthems, celebrating a victory that offers more than just three points—it offers dignity against their oldest foes.

As the dust settles on Nyayo Stadium, the message from the Den is clear: the sleeping giant has awoken, and the league is no longer a one-horse race.