Harambee Stars fans start resource mobilisation to travel to Malawi for World Cup qualifiers

Harambee Stars fans during a past match.

Harambee Stars fans start resource mobilisation to travel to Malawi for World Cup qualifiers

Joel Omotto 14:29 - 27.05.2024

Kenyan fans are seeking funds to ferry enough supporters to Malawi for Harambee Stars’ crucial World Cup qualifiers against Burundi and Ivory Coast.

Kenyan fans are in a rush against time to mobilise enough support and resources to travel to Malawi for Harambee Stars’ upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Through their umbrella body the Kenya Football Fans Federation (KEFOFA), the supporters are in talks with the government, corporate entities and well-wishers to raise enough funds to ferry fans to Lilongwe for the crucial match which will see Kenya host their rivals away from home.

Harambee Stars have been forced to seek refuge in Malawi owing to the lack of an approved stadium to host both matches in the country which will deny them an opportunity to enjoy a partisan crowd but the fans are keen to provide them with support.

“KEFOFA is not sponsored by anyone so all fans need is to by a t-shirt for Ksh3,000 and they will join the group. We are raising funds through the sale of these t-shirts,” said KEFOFA CEO Shem Okottah.

“We want to gather as many sponsors as possible to ensure our fans support the national team. Currently, we have one bus to ferry fans and our target is to have five by next week.”

Kenya will take on Burundi at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on June 7 before a clash against African champions Ivory Coast at the same venue four days later and the supporters intend to stay in Malawi for at least five days to attend both matches.

“We want to go by road and we should be in Lilongwe a day before the first game is played. We want to give our national team morale that will boost their chances of qualification,” added Okottah.

KEFOFA is drawing inspiration from their trip to Egypt in 2019 when they travelled to Cairo to cheer Harambee Stars during that year’s Africa Cup of Nations.

Through the supporter of government and other sponsors, 70 supporters travelled to Egypt where Kenya exited the tournament at the group stages after losing to both Senegal and eventual winners Algeria while beating neighbours Tanzania.

Harambee Stars are third in Group F with three points from two matches, same as Burundi, with the Ivorians top on six points, a similar tally with Gabon, while the Gambia, who will now under ex-Gor Mahia coach Johnathan McKinstry, and Seychelles are yet to record a point.

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