‘Mashemeji Derby a training match for AFC Leopards’ – Aussems

Mashemeji Derby will be a training match for AFC Leopards, coach Patrick Aussems has said ahead of Sunday's showdown against Gor Mahia.

Aussems is unbothered by the match that will be held at Nyayo Stadium and possibly its outcome, given that Ingwe are ninth.

The Leopardschance of lifting a trophy this season lies in the FKF Cup, where they are set to face Kakamega Homeboyz in the semi-final.

To Aussems, they will use the Mashemeji Derby game as a preparation day for the Homeboyz duel.

"I really don’t care about the remaining league matches because my focus now is on the domestic cup semi-final clash against Kakamega Homeboyz," said Aussems.

"Even the Mashemeji derby will be a training fixture for us, we don’t have anything left to fight for in the league; FKF docked us points [against Homeboyz], and we are out of the race. We are all focused on the semi-final clash."

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The first-round meeting ended in a goalless draw, and Sunday’s clash offers Ingwe a chance to end Gor Mahia’s dominance over the fixture.

Gor Mahia need the points from the Leopards as they remain in a tight Premier League title race against Tusker and, to some extent, Nzoia Sugar, Police, and KCB.

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The fact that only two points separate K’Ogalo and the Brewers means a loss or even a draw against Ingwe will be seen as a setback for the record champions.