Record Kenya Premier League (KPL) champions Gor Mahia will play their arch-rivals AFC Leopards in the Super Cup match, the event that ushers the KPL season start.
With both teams head for Confederation of Africa tournaments, reigning KPL champions and Leopards will be renewing their rivalry before the KPL kick off in the Mashemeji Derby.
The duo teams will clash in the traditional season curtain raiser on Sunday at Afraha Stadium, Nakuru County this Sunday.
With the withdrawal of Sportpesa as KPL sponsors, the Afraha stadium encounter will not have any cash prize but bragging rights.
This has been occasioned by the lack of sponsorship with league title sponsors SportPesa having pulled out early this year following the implementation of the 35 percent taxing by the Government.
“The winner will get a trophy and medals because we have to work with what we have. We would be happy if we had a sponsor, but the clubs understand the situation and they will be playing for bragging rights to win a trophy just before the league starts,” KPL head of logistics Frank Okoth announced on Thursday
Previously, the season opening game was sponsored by broadcast sponsors SuperSport through their brand DSTV with the winners walking home with Sh750, 000 while the loser was handed Sh500, 000. However, the broadcast partners pulled out last season.
Both teams have lamented that it would lower the morale of the players without a cash incentive but nonetheless have promised to put in their best feet especially noting it’s a local derby.