Kenya’s Harambee Stars may miss their final Africa Cup of Nations qualifier away to Ghana this weekend over lack of funds.
This is despite the government through Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Amina Mohammed, announcing that they had set aside Sh244 million (about $2.42m) to help the team prepare for the fixture and also begin preparations for the June 21-July 19 Africa Cup of Nations finals.
But a FKF source is quoted by local outlet Game Yetu as saying the said money is yet to hit their accounts and are contemplating forfeiting the tie scheduled for Saturday, March 23 at the Accra Sports Stadium.
“We have done our best and ensured that the national under-23 team travels to Sudan for an Olympic qualifier and at the same time booked the senior team at Safari Park Hotel all in the hope that the government will send us money to off-set the bills.
“This has not happened as we speak. First we were informed the money was sent on Thursday but until today, it has not hit our accounts. Time is running out. If we don’t get it by tomorrow afternoon, it will be very difficult to honor the Ghana tie. We are ready to give a walk-over,” said the FKF official who asked not to be named.
The official said the federation has also paid for tickets for all the foreign-based players to enable them come to Nairobi.
“We have done all this and cannot do anything more until the money is received from the government. We have run out of options and are willing to give a walk-over to Ghana.”
Both Kenya and Ghana have already qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations to be held from June this year.
Meanwhile, the Black Stars are scheduled to officially begin preparations for the match from Tuesday.
