Kenyan fans locked out of Harambee Stars clash with Algeria

Swila Isaac in Cairo,Egypt

When they left Nairobi in their hundreds, excitement was palpable in the air. They knew that on Sunday at 11pm, they would be seated at the terraces of the 30 June Stadium cheering their home team Harambee Stars take on Algeria.

However, they fulfilled one aim, getting to Egypt but missed the other, getting into the stadium.

That is the situation here after several Harambee Stars fans who left Nairobi on Friday landing here on Saturday found themselves in after failing to get Fan ID on time to enable them watch Kenya’s match that is poised to begin at 11pm (East Africa Time).

Also caught up in the quagmire are fans of other nationalities who lack the vital ID.

The new Caf rules requires fans to have Fan IDs even when one has a ticket. The situation is the same for journalists who must get match tickets beforehand to cover a game even if one is accredited.

The situation will deny the Stars the necessary twelfth man support needed in such high octane matches when they take on the Desert Foxes in less than two hours from now.