The Mashemeji Derby's Double Delight: Football and Mihic's Sideline Comedy

The Kenya Premier League (KPL) often has a sprinkle of foreign coaches. Probably the two clubs, AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia, are the ones most likely to have a foreigner on their bench.

Unfortunately, they have often been referred to as plumbers. This is because they might talk a big game, but delivering quality on the pitch is on occasion a pipe dream.

Others are labeled as 'tourists' in the workforce; they flit between jobs in Africa and Asia, treating their Kenyan employment as part of the Tembea Kenya experience.

Gor Mahia's new coach, Sinisa Mihic, is proving to be a different breed. The UEFA Pro License holder is seemingly the new comedian in town. Soon, Crazy Kennar might just have to collaborate with him.

In his first game in charge, he was so animated he unknowingly stepped onto the pitch at one point. At the time, K’Ogalo was behind against Mathare United but went on to win 2-1. That was the last time Gor Mahia scored in the KPL.

Against Tusker FC in Machakos, at some point, Mihic appeared to be in a conversation with himself or his ancestors. For about a minute he appeared to be doing a silent but animated Croatian dance, gesturing, turning, and walking about.

In a post-match media interview, he was quick to state, “I was calm.” He has even come out to accuse players of lacking quality and being lazy, stating, "Just walking, you cannot be in Gor Mahia like that.".

Come the weekend, the highly charged and widely anticipated Mashemeji derby is likely to unlock his comedic level. As it stands, Gor Mahia is in third place and has a title charge. However, the stakes are high as Ingwe is only 2 points behind in 5th place.

One thing stands out: both teams haven’t scored in their last two KPL games. They have scored the same number of goals (29) scored in the league this season.

A lot is at stake on Sunday; goals are needed as Nyayo National Stadium reopens to fans. However, Sinisa Mihic might just steal the show in what may be another episode of Comedy Central.