Watch party tailored to promote peace

Hundreds of enthusiatic fans flocked Mama Ngina Drive in Mombasa last Sunday to watch the World Cup final between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Qatar.

The live streaming via a giant screen was courtesy of Coca-Cola Bottling Company and was tailored to promote peace and unite football fans in the coastal city and especially ahead of the Christmas and New Year festivities.

The match which was dubbed Mbappe (France)  vs Messi (Argentina) left fans on the edge of their seats and it was discernible that football fans in Mombasa were yearning to have a piece of the cherry while spurring on their favourite teams.

Earlier, scores of fans made their way to the venue from as far as Bamburi, Changamwe and Likoni to watch one of the most thrilling football matches in World Cup history which saw both teams deadlocked 3-3 after the normal and extra times before Argentina won the bragging rights on a penalty shoot-out.

So electric was the atmosphere that the chilly ocean breeze couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the fans.

One seemingly inebriated fan donned a French replica jersey emblazoned with the national flag while shouting himself hoarse to the chagrin of Argentine adherents’.

  Fans, who took part in the pre-match competitions including ball juggling and penalty shoot-outs received  a windfall in the form of winning various prizes including electronics, fridges, footballs and washing machines.

Some of the fans who spoke to People Daily acknowledged the charisma and the serene atmosphere, adding that the same should be embraced in Kenya whenever there is a live screening of matches either local or international.

Hamisi Kivunde, a resident of Likoni, was among the hundreds of fans who were mesmerized by the action that was followed by millions of fans across the world.

“I want Messi to win, but it doesn’t mean that Mbappe winning is bad either. May the best team win. After all, it is a peace that matters a lot in this beautiful game,” he said.

Another fan Erick Bosire said the World Cup had brought together residents of Mombasa and thanked Coca-Cola for the company’s gesture of bringing the final to their doorsteps.

 “I’m a big supporter of France because most of its players have African Origin, I want to thank Cocacola for bringing us together to watch this fanfare that was devoid of ugly incidents,” offered Bosire.

Speaking after the showpiece, Coca-Cola Coastal Bottlers Marketing Manager Barry Otieno was excited that they were able to bring fans from all corners of the county to experience what they love the most.

“ It’s been an exciting one month where we’ve brought football fans together and it’s been all magic that we used the World Cup to spearhead unity amongst our customers, We look forward to doing more of this through different events,” said Otieno.