Flag Controversy Denies Kenya Police Massive Revenue as Mogadishu FC Fans Stay Away

Kenya Police FC felt the full impact of a controversial incident involving Mogadishu City FC fans in their CAF Champions League first preliminary round match.

Police lost the second leg 2-0 at Nyayo Stadium on Sunday but went through on away goals thanks to their 3-1 win in the first leg last weekend which saw both teams end up 3-3 draw on aggregate.

Both matches were played at Nyayo Stadium as the Somali club do not have an approved stadium back home but the two matches witnessed a big difference in fan attendance.

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While over 10,000 fans attended the first leg, when Mogadishu City were the home team and generated close to Ksh3 million, there were hardly any supporters in the return leg when Police hosted the game.

This is down to the controversy that was generated following the behaviour of a section of fans for Somalia club last weekend.

Mogadishu City supporters were captured on camera disrespecting the Kenyan flag by kicking and stepping on it, an incident that did not just receive condemnation from the fans, but from both governments.

Following an outcry from Kenyans, the government ordered the arrest and prosecution of the young fans with the Directorate of Criminal Investigation nabbing the duo who now face prosecution.

That incident seems to have rubbed Mogadishu City fans the wrong way and they voted with their feet as they failed to turn up to support their team at the same venue in the return match, when Police would have pocketed a tidy sum from gate collection.

Still, their team did them proud as they won the match, even if it was too little too late, as they were eliminated in painful fashion due to the away goals rule.