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SuperSport to air Gor, Sofapaka weekend matches


Kenyan Premier League broadcast sponsors SuperSport have bought exclusive rights from Gor Mahia and Sofapaka to air this weekend’s continental matches live.

SuperSport CEO Auka Gecheo on Thursday said they have already secured broadcast rights from Gor Mahia and Sofapaka, and that the matches will be aired live both on SuperSport and national broadcaster KBC.

“We have realized that the two clubs are struggling financially in their endeavors to take part in continental football and so to reaffirm our commitment to assisting the premier league clubs where possible, we have decided to acquire the rights to produce and air the matches live,” Auka said.

The production costs together with the purchase of exclusive rights for both matches has cost the broadcasters Sh 5 million and Gecheo said that they will negotiate with their opponents to evaluate the possibility of airing the away matches live as well.

“We can only negotiate with the home match, so we cannot speak of the return matches because we have to speak with the home teams. We will however engage the other teams in talks as well to see if we can also bring the away matches live,” he said.

Sofapaka chairman Elly Kalekwa termed the deal as very timely as it will lessen the financial burden of participating in continental football.

BROADCAST RIGHTS

Gor Mahi and Sofapaka each received Sh458, 000 ($5,000) from SuperSport in broadcast rights fees for their weekend matches.

Meanwhile, Madagascan premier league champions CNaPS (Caisse Nationale de Prevoyance Sociale Sport) arrived in the country on Thursday evening ahead of their CAF Champions League encounter against Gor Mahia.

The 29-man contingent touched down at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 4:20pm aboard a KQ flight were received by Gor Mahia’s top officials.

Club Secretary General Ronald Ngala confirmed to Nairobi News that their opponents arrived on schedule, and that they have been booked at the Summerdale Hotel.

“Our opponents arrived early and we have already booked them in a hotel close to the match venue. We have assigned them a team bus and they will have a feel of the pitch tomorrow (Friday) afternoon,” Ngala said.

The Madagascans will have their first and only training session at 4pm on Friday at Nyayo Stadium where they will assess the pitch and engage in light training ahead of the all-important Saturday clash.