President William Ruto has today made a surprise phone call to Harambee Stars captain Abud Omar from Yokohama, Japan.
The call by the President came as the national team prepares to face Madagascar in the quarterfinals of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament.
The highly anticipated match kicks off at 5 pm at Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi.
This will be the first of the quarterfinal fixtures, and excitement has been building across the country as Kenyans rally behind the national team.
During the call, Ruto conveyed his best wishes to the squad and urged the players to give their all in pursuit of victory.
He praised the team’s resilience and dedication, reminding them that millions of Kenyans were firmly behind them.
“This is your moment to make history. Play with courage and determination. The country believes in you,” the reporter reportedly told Omar.
The high-stakes match is being played at a time the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced a review of stadium attendance guidelines, increasing the number of fans allowed at Kasarani from 60 per cent to 80 per cent capacity.
This move is expected to see at least 38,500 fans at the stadium, up from 27,000 during the last match with Zambia.
This is expected to create an electric atmosphere for the home team.
Harambee Stars are seeking to advance to the semifinals for the first time in over a decade, and today’s clash against Madagascar offers them a golden chance to etch their names in African football history.
