The Tanzanian government has dismissed reports that Kenyan football fans bought all the tickets for the upcoming Tanzania versus Morocco clash to stop the neighbours from cheering their local team at the African Nations Championship (CHAN).
Addressing the press on Thursday, August 21, President Samia Suluhu's administration accused Kenyans of spreading the fake claims to instil fear in Tanzanians.
According to Tanzania’s government spokesperson, Gerson Musigwa, the main reason Kenyan football fans were making noise was because they were afraid of Tanzania's team.
"Those are our neighbours, I hope you know who I am talking about. They are not even involved in our match tomorrow, but they are yapping," said Musigwa.
"I want to assure all the Tanzanians, the claims going around that they have purchased all the tickets for our match at the Benjamin Mkapa stadium are untrue," he added.
He went ahead to assure Tanzanian fans that their government had secured enough space, adding that every fan who wishes to cheer their team would have the chance to enter the stadium.
"Come to the stadium gates, and you will enter. The government has taken necessary measures, there is adequate space and do not fear. They are yapping because they fear us," the Tanzanian government spokesperson stated.
Tanzania is set to face Morocco at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Thursday from 8 pm, a tough test for the Taifa Stars against a team that finished second behind Kenya in Group A.
While Tanzania is expected to face Morocco, Kenya will face Madagascar in the last eight teams on Friday at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
Kenya will be going into the match a happy lot after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) revised the number of fans allowed to attend the game upwards to 38,400.
This is a significant increase from the 27,000 supporters present at Kenya's last group game against Zambia. The decision came after the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) appealed to CAF to revise the 60 per cent sanction previously imposed.
Simially, the government has increased fan zones in Nairobi to 13, with security heightened at the stadium to ensure order during the match and adherence to the CAF regulations.
