The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has addressed discrepancies in ticket sales for Harambee Stars’ 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Gabon, confirming that only 15,968 tickets were sold despite an earlier sold-out announcement.
Ahead of the match at Nyayo Stadium, FKF CEO Harold Ndege stated that 22,900 tickets were available: 21,000 terrace seats at Ksh. 300 each, with VIP and VVIP tickets priced at Ksh. 1,000 and Ksh. 10,000, respectively.
A day before kickoff, FKF declared all tickets sold, advising fans without tickets to watch on TV. However, on match day, chaos ensued as some fans forced open a gate, rushing for seats and casting doubt on the sellout claim.
On Monday, FKF President Hussein Mohammed provided clarity, revealing that 17,130 regular, 1,331 VIP, and 107 VVIP tickets were sold totaling 15,968. This left 6,932 tickets unsold, generating Ksh. 6,498,000 in revenue. Mohammed also explained Nyayo Stadium’s capacity, pegged at 22,000 by Sports Kenya. He noted that CAF safety regulations require a buffer, reducing the number of tickets sold.
“The terraces hold about 18,000, with 1,400 VIP seats,” Mohammed said. “VVIP areas are for guests. CAF ensures stadiums aren’t filled to 100% capacity.” This aligns the sales figures with regulatory limits, resolving the earlier confusion.
The gate-crashing incident remains unaddressed in the statement, but the updated numbers suggest a miscommunication in the initial announcement. For fans, it highlights challenges in managing high-demand matches. The Ksh. 6.5 million revenue reflects strong support for Harambee Stars, though unsold tickets indicate untapped potential within safety constraints.
As Kenya’s World Cup campaign progresses, FKF faces pressure to refine crowd control and communication. The Gabon match drew 15,968 live spectators a solid turnout but future success will hinge on balancing fan enthusiasm with logistical precision.
For now, the federation has cleared the air, banking a tidy sum to fuel Kenyan football’s ambitions. How they adapt moving forward will be key.
