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Football fans will have to wait a little longer to watch the Harambee Stars in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in Kenya after Kenya Football Federation chief executive Barry Otieno confirmed that Kenya will play Zimbabwe in Uganda next month in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
This is because Kenya does not have a single stadium that meets the standards set by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to host high-intensity matches.
Both the Nyayo National Stadium and the Kasaranimoi International Sports Centre have been closed for renovation.
Barely a month ago, Sports PS Peter Tum promised that the Nyayo Stadium would be ready to host CAF Intercontinental and Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
However, as things stand, Nyayo failed to impress the visiting Confederation of African Football inspectors last month as Kenya prepares to host the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in January 2025 along with Uganda and Tanzania.
Yesterday, the Police FC drew with Ethiopian Coffee FC in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup at the Nyayo Stadium, and fans are looking forward to witnessing the brave warriors in person on September 4, 2024
Kenyans will have to make the trek to Uganda to watch their team play a third consecutive home and away match after two 2026 World Cup qualifiers were held at Malawi’s Bingu National Stadium.
The Stars first drew 1-1 with Burundi, then drew 0-0 with African champions Ivory Coast in Lilongwe, Malawi.
Barry said they wanted the Stars to play at home to ensure home-field advantage.
“Playing at home can motivate players because they can fight their opponents confidently in front of their loved ones, and the environment is also friendly, which gives them great motivation, but there is nothing we can do,” Barry said.
While Kenya lags behind in preparations for the 2025 and 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, our neighbours Uganda and Tanzania already have two stadiums approved by the Confederation of African Football.
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