Dj Vnyash
Summary
- Inspection and Approval: The latest update follows a recent inspection by the Caf team, who visited the Nyayo Stadium on Monday and approved the renovation progress.
- Kasarani Progress: According to Peter Tum, Kasarani Stadium is also progressing well, currently at 35% completion, with expectations to be ready by December. Major roofing issues are being addressed.
- Nyayo Stadium: Kenyan Premier League champions Gor Mahia and FKF Cup winners Kenya Police have been assured by Sports Principal Secretary Eng. Peter Tum that their continental preliminary matches will be played at Nyayo National Stadium. Nyayo and Kasarani stadiums had been blacklisted for not meeting Caf standards, despite ongoing renovations.
- Renovation Details: The Caf inspection team, accompanied by Tum, noted that the upgrades at Nyayo Stadium will be completed in two weeks. Areas of concern included changing rooms, the scoreboard, floodlights, drainage, and the media center.
- Assurance: Tum assured that contractors are making good progress, and Nyayo Stadium will be 100% ready in a month, allowing Gor Mahia, Police FC, and Harambee Stars to play their matches at home.
- Maintenance: Tum highlighted that the grass and other facilities are well-maintained, and Caf is impressed with the renovation speed and progress, positioning Kenya to host the 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN) in September.
- Recent Challenges: Recently, Harambee Stars had to play their World Cup qualifier matches in Malawi due to lack of approved facilities in Kenya, which drew public criticism and affected the team’s performance.
- Upcoming Matches: Gor Mahia will face El Merreikh Bentiu of South Sudan in the Caf Champions League preliminaries on August 23, and Police FC will play Ethiopian Coffee in the Confederation Cup between August 16-18. Harambee Stars will also play Afcon qualifiers.
- Stadium Comparisons: Kenya’s Afcon 2027 co-hosts, Uganda and Tanzania, have two approved stadiums each. Caf has pre-approved 72 stadia across 54 African countries, with South Africa leading with 11 approved venues.
- Kasarani and Talanta Stadiums: Kasarani Stadium is set to be ready by December, with ongoing renovations. The 60,000-seater Talanta Sports City in Nairobi, under construction by China Road and Bridge Corporation, is 40% complete, targeting a December 2025 deadline for Afcon 2027.
- Training Grounds: Talanta Stadium will have three training grounds, with Ulinzi complex and other facilities in Eldoret being renovated to meet Caf standards.
