With no disrespect to other sports, football is the most popular in the world. This is mainly because it is dynamic, adaptive, inclusive and thrilling as well.
However, that seems to be a different thing in Kenya, especially in the Kenyan Premier League. Only Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards enjoy massive support from fans, who even show up to the field to cheer their teams. But that number cannot be compared to that of Tanzanian giants Simba SC.
Here is a video of Gor Mahia fans cheering their club;
Here is a video of Simba SC supporters cheering during a past match;
Washa tochi 🔦🏟
IGA UFE: THIS IS NEXT LEVEL #NguvuMoja pic.twitter.com/aaU3agsXA6— Simba Sports Club (@SimbaSCTanzania) August 7, 2019
This huge difference is the reason why Kenyans are eager to know where they get it wrong. In a discussion that was prompted on social media, fans give different speculations why Kenyan football does not receive a huge audience.
Below are some of the reactions;
Jared Oginga Leopards will this season bring back the passion in Kenya soccer. Watch this space. The secret is just performance on the pitch
Adaro Kwaa Ambasa Muok Ratego Tanzanians love football like religion and their benchmark was on socialism (ujamaa) but ours is capitalism (man eat man). There are some great dossiers on football elevation but mediocre persons up there with low IQS and wanting educare will always fear being dethroned.
George Odera Marketing. This is what we lack. Look at what Sportpesa did during Hull city game. Marketing jos
Oyare Bilo Wuod Abiero I beg to disagree,it’s not all about marketing. Gor vs Hull watu walijitokeza in order to be part of that history, kuona wazungu na kupiga selfies.Good management, Accountability & leadership for legacy is what we lack.Most of our leaders are serving their own interest & massaging their egos after poor performance. Even if you market well with no well laid out strategic plans to help you achieve your objectives you will terribly fail & disappoint your audience/fans & you’ll never see them again.Not unless ni mafans were Arsenal.
Maurice Wuod Mboka Simple, shun hooliganism, work on security and make it a family day.
In Kasarani there are so many thugs masquerading as football fans..
Samuel Ouma Exactly….kasarani is full of bhang smokers and thugs who think that they are untouchable
Antony Ong’ado Tanzania have you ever heard ATI games between Young Africans vs SIMBA abandoned for hooliganism which is frequent here
Muok Ratego Antony Ong’ado am not just talking about the TZ derby. Look at the crowds that attend Simba’s international matches. GMFC couldn’t even attract 40k people to the stadium when we hosted Zamalek
Antony Ong’ado Muok Ratego the Derby defines the whole league if either team underperforms turn up stadium is affected
Joel Raps Mswahili Rapando Poor officiating in Kenya is also an issue
Antony Ong’ado Look at Young Africans you can’t know there have been squabbling for years on who should run the club but Bado their fans can’t miss Derby
Oyare Bilo Wuod Abiero We have TVs in our houses of which we pay Stima,Decoder & the TV itself, why ignore the TV & go spend another cash that won’t go to do the intended purpose?
Let me give you this real picture, in most cases i go to the stadium with my family, from South B to town is 30-50/- per head that is 100/- for both of us.From town to Kasarani is another 100/- for both of us.Fare alone is 400/- to & fro.Gate collection is another 400/- which goes to Sally & Co. Account. Bado hatujakunywa kamaji,this is roughly 1000/- plus just for the love of the game.
In my house we can barely spend 300/- as we watch the same game, shida si pesa,shida ni no one can account for the little we support our clubs with,wanatesa players kila kuchao unaskia go slows. 40k crowd tutangoja hadi Yesu arudi with those people in office.
Adaro Kwaa Ambasa Jah Were l think they don’t understand or follow football. Or maybe many don’t see football as fast consumer goods
Bill Odeny Not marketing, just work with Sport Kenya and FKF to make stadia safe and friendly, and people will show up. But with hooligans and weed smokers and fan trouble and insecurity all the time, the numbers won’t change.
What do you think could be the reason why many Kenyans do not show up to the field during match days? Leave your comments below.