Drama as FKF locks SuperSport out of Nyayo

SUPERSPORT/ DSTV
Supersport crew at work .PHOTO:BONIFACE OKENDO

What started out as a diplomatic battle over television rights turned ugly yesterday after Football Kenya Limited prevented SuperSport from accessing Nyayo Stadium, venue for today’s Africa Nations Championships (CHAN) match between Kenya and Ethiopia.

There was an unusually tight security at Nyayo moments after SuperSport said they will send their broadcast trucks to the venue. A top official at the company confirmed they will send their OB vans even as StarTimes, who claim to have the match’s rights, set up equipment at the venue.

Armed policemen were stationed at the stadium with strict instructions not to allow SuperSport access the venue. A stadium official said they had been given instructions from FKF not to allow SuperSport crew enter the venue.

“FKF has stationed policemen at the gates and we have been asked to bar anybody from SuperSport from entering here,” said the stadium official.

A manager at the broadcast company, however, insisted they will go ahead to broadcast the match.
“Our track is on the way and we are going to broadcast the match as earlier announced since we have the exclusive rights,” said the SuperSport official.

Two other employees of the South African broadcaster, who arrived at Nyayo Stadium by 6pm, said the truck was on the way as it had been held up in traffic. “The track is on the way. We have come as the advance party to ensure there is no problem at all,” they said.

StarTimes crew had, meanwhile, set up their equipment at the stadium ready to broadcast the match.

Meanwhile, former Youth Fund boss, Evans Gor Semelang’o donated Sh100,000 to Harambee Stars and promised to double his contribution, should the team defeat Ethiopia in their 4pm tie.

Elsewhere, Harambee Stars striker Allan Wanga departs for South Africa today to start talks over a new deal to play for Bidvest Vist.
Wanga got his visa on Wednesday after a two-week delay and says he is ready for the new challenge.

“I am happy to have finally sorted out my travel plans. This is a new challenge for me and I look forward to it. Sudan was great and I expect this to even be awesome,” said the former El Mereikh forward.

Wanga added that he will begin negotiations with his new club once he gets to South Africa and only after that, will he announce the terms of his new contract.

“We are going to sit down and negotiate with them and see what kind of contract we will come up. I expect it to be better than what I had in the past.”

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