Kenyans are in high spirits as they look forward to an elusive win as home team Harambee Stars takes on Gabon in a 2026 World Cup qualifier.
The Kenyan team will be hosting their Gabonese opponents for their sixth group stage play on Sunday afternoon, March 23, at the Nyayo Stadium.
The hype of the oncoming match saw the depletion of tickets within a short period for both the VIP and spectators on the terraces.
The doors to the match venue were open as of 11 am on the match day.
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"All tickets for our FIFA World Cup qualifier against Gabon are officially SOLD OUT! Your unwavering support means everything! Let’s paint Nyayo red, black, and green this Sunday. Come cheer the team and let your voices be heard; your energy could make all the difference," the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) announced on the match eve.
The match happens to be a home debut for the Harambee Stars new manager, Benni McCarthy, who took over the leadership of the technical bench last month.
The Kenyan fans are upbeat the home team will rout Gabon to secure its chances in the next year's World Cup campaign.
"Kesho pale Nyayo stadium lazima Gabon tuwachape. All the best, our national men soccer team, the Harambee stars, as you play your World Cup qualifier match," former Nairobi governor Mike Sonko tweeted.
"ALL TICKETS ARE SOLD OUT! Thank you, fellow patriots, for this amazing achievement. For those unable to get tickets this time around, please catch the game Live on KBC as we all cheer our National team, The Harambee Stars," FKF president Hussein Mohamed said.
"There will be no escape route for Gabon. Kenyans for Kenya," said Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa.
Both Kenya and Gabon are in CAF's Group F of the World Cup qualifiers; others are Ivory Coast, Seychelles, Burundi and Gambia.
Kenya is currently in fourth place, trailing Burundi, Gabon and the Ivory Coast.
The home team goes to the match with bits of morale after a comeback in a 3-3 draw match against Gambia last week after the saviour spectacles from debutants Mohammed Bajaber, who plays for the Kenya Police FC, and William Lenkupae, attached to Central Coast Mariners in the Australian League.
On its part, Gabon had a massive win against Seychelles, which it thrashed 3-0 on March 20.
