Nyayo gymnasium’s viability questioned after Kenya v Sudan delayed due to crowd trouble [Photos]

Kenya Morans ponder their next move after fans thronged jam basketball court during Pre-qualifier 2021 FIBA Afrobasket Championship match against South Sudan at Nyayo Gymnasium on Saturday, Jan 18, 2020. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

On Saturday, January 18 questions emerged over Nyayo Stadium Gymnasium’s viability following crowd trouble during the FIBA Afrobasket pre-qualifier final between Kenya and South Sudan.

The clash which was scheduled to kick off at 6:30 pm local time had to be delayed for more than an hour after a significant number of fans stormed in the court as the teams warmed up.

The crowd, which seemed to increase in size flooded the gymnasium in minutes, forcing players from both teams to vacate the court.

Here are some photos:

[Courtesy]

FIBA officials had to clear the court for the match to resume.

Fans, even those present at the gymnasium took their anger to social media, faulting the championship’s organisers for choosing a venue incapable of hosting a match of this magnitude.

Fans jam basketball court during Pre Qualifier 2021 FIBA Afrobasket Championship match between Kenya Morans and South Sudan at Nyayo Gymnasium on Saturday, Jan 18, 2020. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Fans jam the basketball court at Nyayo Stadium. [Jonah Onyango, Standard

Team Kenya (Morans) battled hard to dispatch Somalia 102-77 on in day 3 in a match that saw Eric Mutoro display his class, leading Kenya’s charge in the first quarter. Somalia rallied back to take the game at the break 46-44 after Mahad Haji’s three-pointer.

In the third quarter, Morans’ built the biggest lead (28 points) after Mutoro, captain Griffin Lingare and Demsond Owili each bagged significant points.

South Sudan maintained their unbeaten run in the tournament after brushing aside Burundi 100-59, their best performance in the championship so far.