The government of Tanzania has strongly dismissed claims that Kenyan football fans bought up all the tickets for the Taifa Stars’ upcoming clash against Morocco at the African Nations Championship (CHAN).
The rumours had suggested that Kenyans wanted to deny Tanzanians the chance to cheer for their team inside the stadium.
Speaking to the press on Thursday, August 21, President Samia Suluhu’s administration described the claims as false and misleading, insisting that they were only meant to create fear among Tanzanian supporters.
Government spokesperson Gerson Musigwa said the rumours were being spread by Kenyans who, according to him, were worried about the strength of the Tanzanian side.
“Those are our neighbours, I hope you know who I am talking about. They are not even part of our match tomorrow, yet they are making noise,” Musigwa said. “I want to assure Tanzanians that the claims going around — that Kenyans have bought all the tickets for our match at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium — are not true.”
Musigwa went on to encourage Tanzanian fans to turn up in large numbers, noting that the government had already put in place arrangements to ensure everyone who wanted to support the Taifa Stars would be able to enter the stadium.
“Let every Tanzanian come to the stadium gates with confidence. The government has made the necessary preparations and there is enough space. Nobody should worry. They are only talking because they fear us,” he emphasized.
The highly anticipated game between Tanzania and Morocco is scheduled for Thursday at 8 p.m. at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium. The Taifa Stars will be looking to prove their strength against a tough Moroccan side that finished second behind Kenya in Group A.
Meanwhile, Kenya will be in action on Friday when they face Madagascar in the quarter-finals at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
The Harambee Stars head into the clash in high spirits after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) revised the number of fans allowed into the stadium.
CAF increased the attendance limit to 38,400, a big boost compared to the 27,000 fans who attended Kenya’s last group game against Zambia.
This adjustment came after the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) successfully appealed against the 60 per cent restriction that CAF had earlier imposed.
To match the growing enthusiasm, the Kenyan government has also expanded the number of official fan zones in Nairobi from 7 to 13.
Security has been tightened both at the Kasarani Stadium and in fan zones to ensure order is maintained and CAF regulations are fully followed during the high-stakes quarter-final.
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