NAIROBI — The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has approved an increase in stadium capacity for Harambee Stars’ quarterfinal clash with Madagascar, allowing 38,400 fans into the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, on Friday.
The decision raises attendance to 80 per cent, up from the 27,000 who watched Kenya edge Zambia 1-0 last weekend. For the players, it means more voices in their corner. For the fans, it means a rare chance to be part of history. Kenya is in the knockout stage of a major continental tournament for the first time in 38 years.
“It’s a huge boost,” said Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya on Thursday. “The fans have been fantastic, and we are glad they can now come out in even greater numbers to support the team.”
The move follows weeks of debate over safety at Kasarani. Earlier in the tournament, Kenya’s 1-0 victory against Morocco was overshadowed by security lapses, prompting CAF to cap attendance at 60 per cent. Authorities have since stepped up checks at entry points, expanded crowd management systems, and run nationwide campaigns urging fans to embrace safe stadium behaviour.
Officials also increased the number of official fan zones around Nairobi from nine to 13 to ease pressure on Kasarani. Similar zones have been set up in Mombasa, where thousands are expected to follow Friday’s game.
CAF’s approval sets the stage for a feverish atmosphere. But questions linger over ticketing. Mookh.com, the online platform managing sales, has come under fire for crashes, long queues, and even double bookings. It is not yet clear whether the company will handle the extra 11,400 tickets or whether new outlets will be opened.
Despite the uncertainty, excitement is building. For head coach Engin Firat, home support could tilt the balance against a Madagascar side that finished third at the 2022 CHAN.
“They are a very strong team,” said Firat earlier this week. “But playing at Kasarani, in front of our fans, makes a huge difference.”
For the Harambee Stars, Friday’s game is more than a quarterfinal. It is a chance to write a fresh chapter in Kenya’s football story. For the fans, it promises another night when the stadium roars louder than ever.
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