The Harambee Stars squad is set to pocket a cool Ksh50 million if they beat Ethiopia on Sunday, Deputy President William Ruto has said.
Three points will put the national team in a good position to qualify for next year’s African Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Cameroon, which will be a major achievement by current coach Sebastian Migne as the last time Kenya qualified for Afcon was in 2004.
Ruto broke the news when he visited the Stars’ training camp at Kasarani Stadium on Friday morning two days after the team played to a barren draw with Walya Antelopes at Bahir Dar Stadium, Ethiopia.
Kenyan captain Victor Wanyama had indicated he was shocked at the number of Ethiopian fans who attended Wednesday’s match and urged Kenyans to show the same spirit.
Sports minister Rashid Echesa then announced the government was waiving ticket fees to ensure as many fans as possible attend Sunday’s clash.
On Friday, Ruto also revealed that the government had released Ksh25 million preparation money meant to fund the third and the fourth legs of the group matches against Ethiopia.
“On Sunday you will be representing the country. We have not qualified for Afcon for some time now and that’s why the whole country will be donning the Kenyan shirt in your support,” said DP Ruto.
Ruto also promised the team a bus which he said will be delivered to the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) in November.
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Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has hired 150 cars to ferry fans to the stadium.
In a statement signed by his spokesman, Elkana Jacob, Sonko said the buses will ferry fans from various parts of the city, adding he reached the decision following the decison by the national government’s efforts to support the national team.
Nominated Senator Millicent Omanga also promised to avail 100 buses, 85 in Nairobi wards and 15 in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) to ferry fans to cheer on the team to watch the clash.
Currently, Harambee Stars tops Group F with four points same as Ethiopia who trail Kenya on goal difference, third place Ghana has three points same as Sierra Leone.
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Sierra Leone however is staring at being kicked out of the competition after the country’s football governing association was suspended by FIFA due to government interference.
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