The Tanzanian government has strongly dismissed claims that Kenyan fans bought up all the tickets for the highly anticipated Tanzania vs Morocco CHAN game.
The rumors had spread quickly on social media, with some suggesting that Kenyans had deliberately purchased all the tickets to stop Tanzanian fans from filling the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.
On Thursday, August 21, President Samia Suluhu’s administration broke its silence and called the allegations “false, baseless, and full of fear tactics.”
Government spokesperson Gerson Musigwa was blunt during a press briefing in Dar es Salaam.
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“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,” Musigwa said.
He went on to assure Tanzanians that no Kenyan had blocked them from attending the crucial match.
“I want to assure all Tanzanians, the claims going around that they have purchased all the tickets for our match at the Benjamin Mkapa stadium are untrue,” he added.
The spokesperson also gave a rallying call to fans of the Taifa Stars, urging them to show up without fear.
“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,” Musigwa emphasized.
The message was clear: Tanzanian fans should ignore the noise from across the border and focus on cheering their team.
The timing of the rumor created extra tension, as the Taifa Stars prepare to face Morocco, one of the tournament’s strongest teams. The clash is set for Thursday at 8 pm at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
Morocco qualified after finishing second in Group A, just behind Kenya. Tanzania, therefore, knows the importance of strong home support as they look to advance in the competition.
Meanwhile, Kenya will be facing Madagascar in their quarterfinal game on Friday at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
Kenyan fans will also enjoy a big boost in numbers. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) revised the limit of fans allowed into the stadium to 38,400, up from the 27,000 who attended Kenya’s last game against Zambia.
This increase came after the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) successfully appealed to CAF to ease the 60 percent sanction that had previously capped stadium attendance.
Back in Nairobi, the Kenyan government has added more fan zones for supporters who will not make it to Kasarani. The number of official fan zones has now been increased to 13, with security also tightened.
Officials have promised strict order and adherence to CAF regulations during the game.
The rivalry between Tanzania and Kenya has always been strong, both on and off the pitch. This ticket rumor added a new twist, sparking heated debate among fans on social media.
Some Kenyans laughed off the Tanzanian government’s sharp response, while others argued that Tanzanians were simply “too sensitive.”
But in Dar es Salaam, the government has framed the story as an example of Kenyans fearing Tanzania’s rise in football.
“They are yapping because they fear us,” Musigwa’s words have already gone viral among Tanzanian supporters.
As kickoff approaches, the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium is expected to be filled with fans waving Tanzanian flags and cheering loudly for the Taifa Stars.
Whether the rumor was a genuine concern or just playful rivalry, the government’s reaction has turned the Tanzania vs Morocco match into more than just football, it has become a matter of national pride.
