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The Nairobian

Kenyan fans enjoy UEFA Champions League exclusive viewing experience

Football

By Ochieng Oyugi | Jun 02, 2024

**Celebrated** **Kenyan rapper Khaligraph Jones electrifies the stage at the UEFA Champions League Finals viewing event hosted by Mastercard in Nairobi.** [Courtesy]

Excitement gripped the air as millions of people across the world took off their precious times to watch the pulsating UEFA Champions League final battle pitting Real Madrid against Borussia Dortmund held at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday night.

Locally, football enthusiasts were not left out in the delirium as thousands of fans thronged entertainment joints to have a glimpse of the spectacle that saw Real Madrid crowned 15 times champions after edging out Dortmund 2-0, courtesy of goals from Daniel Carvajal and Vinicius Junior.

Mastercard is one of the entities that gave Kenyan spectators a priceless experience during the high-profile football showdown, both in Nairobi and at the Amboseli National Park.

In Nairobi, fans staged a watch party to remember. They balled in the night while watching the game on four giant big screens at a Nairobi hotel.

The fans also had various football engagements, including trivia where they won various exciting prizes.

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They were also granted top notch entertainment by surprise artistes including celebrated rapper Khalligraph Jones and Nameless.

"We have realised that half of the world, that means 3.5 billion people, love football. We strongly believe this game is a unifying force, no matter where you come from. So we do seize any opportunity in football to unify people. We make sure we embed these chances within our work culture," Shehryar Ali, Senior Vice President and Country Manager, East Africa and Indian Ocean Islands, Mastercard, told Standard Sports.

The technology company also flew five lucky fans to the Amboseli National Park where they gave them an exclusive watch party in the wild.

Every lucky winner was allowed to tag along three of their friends or family members in the all-expense paid trip.

" The winners of our recent promotion and their loved ones had a blast in the wild. Apart from the scenic game drive, we gave them a hot air balloon experience that will be forever etched in their minds.

"By taking the winners to the Amboseli, we are helping to market Kenya as a global sporting and tourism destination," Ali underlined.

Apart from giving the fans an exclusive football experience, Mastercard used the night to celebrate their 30-year deal with the UEFA Champions League.

They also marked 27 years since they launched their priceless positioning that gives their customers a memorable experience.

Lionel Messi and Luis Figo are some of the footballers who are Mastercard brand ambassadors.

" We use lessons from the two stars to educate football fans both locally and internationally," highlighted Ali.