Hundreds of supporters forced their way into the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani on Sunday afternoon to watch Kenya’s African Nations Championship match against Morocco.
Video from the scene showed fans pouring through an open gate, some in team jerseys, chanting and singing as security staff looked on. The breach occurred hours before the scheduled 3pm kick-off in Nairobi.
The Harambee Stars, coached by former South Africa striker Benni McCarthy, named their starting line-up earlier in the day. Byrne Omondi started in goal, with Mohammed S Siraj, Mike Kibwage, Edward Omondi Otieno and Bonface Muchiri among those in defence and midfield. Chrispine Erambo, Lewis Bandi, Ryan Wesley Ogam, Ben Stanley Omondi, Manzur Suleiman and Sylvester Owino completed the eleven.
On the bench were Shikhallo Faruk, Abud Omar Khamis Abud, Alphonse Otieno Omija, Bryan Migiro, Alpha Chris Onyango, Austine Odongo, Austine Odhiambo Otieno, Felix Oluoch, Sepstianos Wekesa, David Sakwa Nyongesa, Kevin Okumu and Daniel Sakari Macheso.
President William Ruto publicly backed the team ahead of the fixture, urging Kenyans to “pray for our brothers” as they took on the North African side. He reiterated his pledge to reward players with one million shillings for each victory and five hundred thousand shillings for a draw.
“Today Harambee Stars will be playing against Morocco,” Ruto said. “If they score, you celebrate and I will pay.” He confirmed the bonuses for previous results had already been settled.
Kenya began the tournament strongly, opening Group A with a win over DR Congo before holding Angola to a 1-1 draw. They entered the Morocco match top of the standings with four points and hopes of advancing to the knockout stages.
