Charles Nyende
28 August 2008
Nairobi — The World Cup/Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Kenya and Namibia on September 6 will be held at Nairobi's Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani if arrangements by the KFF proceed as planned.
A management official, Gerald Chege said the request had been made to Fifa for a switch of venue from Nyayo Stadium to Kasarani, to allow for improved crowd control.
"We are expecting a go-ahead from Fifa either on Thursday or Friday. All other plans are complete," said Chege, the acting secretary of the Harambee Stars management board.
All the Harambee Stars home matches in the qualifiers were held at the Nyayo Stadium which has a capacity of only 30,000-capacity and had chaotic crowd scenes.
The first match, versus Guinea on June 7 was marked by overcrowding that prompted the Fifa security official to recommend banning of football matches from the stadium.
The KFF had to meet tough security measures imposed by Fifa for Harambee Stars next match, on June 14 against Zimbabwe, for Nyayo Stadium to be accepted as a venue.
But the measures were found wanting as thousands of fans filled the stadium beyond its capacity while thousands more were locked outside. Police used teargas to disperse them.
"Anybody who considers the well being of Kenyans will appreciate that hosting an international match at Nyayo Stadium is a nightmare.
"We underestimated the turn out and it was hard to control the traffic. Facilities at the stadium are also inadequate for such a large crowd," Chege said.
He added: "Kasarani Stadium is big. With a capacity of 60,000 it can easily handle 50,000 when we follow the Fifa safety rule of allowing not more than 90 percent capacity.
"It also has adequate facilities to allow for crowd control and comfort of the spectators."
Meanwhile, the Harambee Stars camp of local based players is expected back on Sunday for a final week of tune up before facing Namibia.
"The team has taken shape and we want to keep it as consistent as possible," Harambee Stars team manager Peter Serry said.
Foreign based professionals are expected to start arriving in the country over the weekend.
According to Serry, Yanga, defender George Owino jets in on Friday while Patrick Oboya (Siad Most, Czech Republic), Allan Wanga (Petro Atletic, Angola) and Macdonald Mariga (Parma, Italy) arrive either on Saturday or Sunday.
Recalled midfielder, Jamal Mohammed (Enkoping, Sweden) and team captain Robert Mambo (GIF Sundsvall, Sweden) are expected early next week.
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