Kenyan fans get true taste of international football tournament

For the first time in a long time, Kenyan football fans in Nairobi on Sunday experienced the buzz that a serious international tournament brings to a country. 

Kenya’s much-anticipated headline fixture against the DR Congo in Group A of the African Nations Championship had already sold out 24 hours after the ticketing portal opened, with prices announced.

The Chan 2024 hype had rippled across the country, reviving long-lost connections. Friends and acquaintances who hadn’t spoken in over a decade all of a sudden reset, all united by one pressing question: “Una ticket ya Harambee?”

Much to the appreciation of Kenyans, healthy ticket prices were set for the high-level Confederation of African Football (CAF) matches, and an expectation was there that Kasarani Stadium would be filled to the brim before the Harambee Stars squared off against our opponents.

Fans, who knew gates would open three hours before kickoff, showed up in large numbers, only to be met by strict and somewhat confusing logistical procedures.

Three days before kickoff, Nairobi County Traffic Police announced an extensive traffic management plan, which saw Aerodrome Road closed from Madaraka to Bunyala Roundabout. One side of Langata Road between Madaraka and Lusaka roundabouts was also closed, so was one side of Mombasa Road, from Lusaka to Bunyala roundabouts. Mombasa Road motorists headed to the CBD were advised to use Likoni–Enterprise Road at General Motors or the Southern Bypass at Ole Sereni Hotel. Those coming from Langata Road were diverted via Raila Odinga Road or Muhoho Road at Mbagathi Roundabout, while motorists from Thika Road were advised to use the Eastern Bypass, Kiambu Road or Limuru Road.Fans headed to Kasarani were encouraged to opt for Ruaraka–Baba Dogo Road and Ngomongo Road to Ngomongo Roundabout. Barricades were placed far away from the stadium, and a fan had to walk quite a distance from designated drop-off points to get to their allocated gate.

This, of course, after thorough security checks, scans and searches, to which some expressed dissatisfaction about. “I don’t understand why a tournament like Chan would forbid Kenyans from carrying drums, flags and whistles to the stadium when it’s always been our culture,” lamented one Apollo Michael, who had managed to sneak in a Kenyan flag of his own, hidden under his cap.

Caf’s Local Safety and Security Department caught everyone by surprise when they released a list of prohibited items, which included whistles, vuvuzelas and flags.

Spectators were also not allowed to carry food into the stadium, except for infants or medical reasons. Hawking inside the stadium was banned; hence, had you not taken your food at home, chances were that one would watch the entire match on an empty stomach. 

Some chaos were witnessed at some point when a group of fans breached security in frustration, temporarily upsetting the well organised entry system.

The gates also saw pockets of confusion, as some struggled to locate their designated sections.

Those who were misdirected had to trek around the stadium to find their correct rows and seats. Nonetheless, by the time coach Benni McCarthy led the team out of the tunnel, most fans, including President William Ruto and CAF President Patrice Motsepe, were seated.

All the excitement was immediately shut down after five minutes, when DR Congo appeared to have taken the lead through Jephté Kitambala, only for South African referee Jelly Alfred Chavani to delay the restart. Video Assistant Referee (VAR) officer Dahane Beida noticed a foul at the edge of the box, which allowed Kitambala to pick up the loose ball and fire it past Byrne Odhiambo.

Fans had to wait, as Beida had asked Chavani to check the replay on the VAR monitor. After two minutes, the centre official ruled out the goal after Agee Basiala was found guilty of tripping Kenya captain Aboud Omar in the lead up to the goal.

This was the first time Kenyan fans witnessed VAR live, and most were impressed by the quick turnaround time before the correct decision was made, considering the nature of the foul being checked.

“If VAR were not here, maybe Kenya would have never won this game. Most decisions have always gone against us in the past and ruling out the goal gave the team a chance to breathe, since they were tensed from kickoff,” said Toddy Mbuweke, a fan seated at the VIP section, behind the VAR monitor.

But the crowd had a reason to scream and shout in the dying minutes of the first half after Austine ‘Rolls Royce’ Odhiambo, slalomed his way past the DR Congo defenders, slotting the ball low past Brudel Efonge Liyongo. He dedicated the goal to his mother, whom he says supported his football journey from a young age.

“It’s a privilege for every player to represent the national team. The fans came out in large numbers which gave us extra motivation. I knew it was a chance because the defender was backing off and I knew I had to be composed before shooting. It’s not my best ever goal though,” said Odhiambo.

The goal, which would eventually be the winner, meant each player bagged a Sh1 million bonus, after a promise made by President Ruto.

Kenya next face Angola in their next tie at Kasarani on Thursday, 7pm.