Afcon qualifier: FKF to lose Sh7m as fans set for free entry to Kasarani

Deputy OCPD Kasarani Ezekiel Omolo and President FkF Nick Mwendwa during security briefing ahead of Harambee Stars AFCON group F return leg match match against Ethopia at Kasarani stadium. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) will lose Sh7million due to the decision to allow fans free access into today’s Africa Cup of  Nations qualifier between Harambee Stars and Ethiopia at Kasarani.

But FKF president Nick Mwendwa said they are not complaining even as he assured that all efforts have been made to ensure there is enough security during the match.

“We would have collected Sh7 million at the gates if we were to charge, but we appreciate the fact that the government has always come out to assist us financially whenever we have international matches and so it is a small price to pay for agreeing to let fans in for free,” he said.

Mwendwa further said 50,000 fans will be allowed entry into the stadium today and announced that they will be issued with tickets.

“We have printed 50,000 tickets as per the requirement of Confederation of African Football (CAF) and will give them out on a first come first serve basis. Once we issue all the tickets then we will close all the gates,” he said.

Gates will open at 9am and close at 2pm with those coming early sure of being entertained by various musicians who have been lined up to hype what is probably the team’s most important match.

“Those who do not have tickets will not be allowed in and so we urge as many fans as possible to come early. We urge all motorists to park within the stadium as there will be enough security."

Kasarani Deputy Officer Commanding Police Division (OCPD) Ezekiel Omolo said they will ensure traffic flow is smooth.

“We are ready to handle the huge crowd expected at Kasarani and will have our offices available to ensure traffic flows smoothly. The security will be the best,” he said. [Gilbert Wandera]