Football Kenya Federation now wants the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) to postpone Saturday’s league derby between AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia.
The two Kenyan giants are scheduled to clash at the Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega, in the first Mashemeji Derby of the 2018 league campaign.
On the same day, National Soccer team Harambee Stars will face Swaziland in a friendly match at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.
FKF has asked KPL to postpone the derby, in order for new Harambee Stars Coach Sébastien Migne to gauge all the players he named.
A total of 13 players from AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia have been called up for national team duty.
AFC Leopards players are: Michael Kibwage, Duncan Otieno, Whyvonne Isuza, Marvin Omondi, Dennis Sikhayi and Jafari Owiti, while those from Gor Mahia are: Boniface Oluoch, Haron Shakava, Philemon Otieno, Joash Onyango, Humphrey Mieno, George Odhiambo and Francis Kahata.
FKF Media Officer Barry Otieno said they hope KPL will listen to their request.
“We continue to engage both KPL and the clubs with a view of rescheduling the fixture, this even as we believe that all parties involved possess the necessary goodwill to assist both the new coach and the national team prepare for upcoming AFCON fixture against Ghana,” he is quoted by goal.com.
KPL has however turned down the request to postpone the derby.
“It is true we received a letter from FKF requesting that we postpone the derby but we have written back saying it won’t be possible. We have a congested fixture and remember the friendly for Kenya is not falling under the FIFA calendar,” said KPL CEO Jack Oguda.