Mwendwa optimistic on availability of stadiums
Construction works at Nyayo National Stadium on September 12, 2017. The stadium was earmarked to stage some of the matches of the 2018 African Nations Championships before Confederation of African Football stripped Kenya of hosting rights over lack of preparedness. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |
What you need to know:
- Both Nyayo Stadium and Moi International Sports Centre (MISC) Kasarani, which are the only stadiums in the country approved to host such a match, are currently unavailable due to ongoing renovations.
- Tanzania and Uganda could host the match should Nyayo and Kasarani be unavailable.
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Nick Mwendwa is hopeful that stadiums will be ready when Kenya hosts Ghana in September during a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) Group “F” qualifier.
Both Nyayo Stadium and Moi International Sports Centre (MISC) Kasarani, which are the only stadiums in the country approved to host such a match, are currently unavailable due to ongoing renovations.
The contractor at Kasarani was poised to uplift the playing surface before the start of the 2018 Kenyan Premier League (LPL) season to meet modern standards.
With the works at a standstill, fears are ripe the ground might not be ready in good time as earlier promised by the Sports Ministry Principal Secretary Peter Kaberia.
“There has been no change in venue of the Kenya, Ghana match. We are waiting for the stadiums to be ready and we are pushing everyday that that is done in time,” Mwendwa told Nation Sport on Wednesday reacting to reports of seeking another venue for the tie.
“We’ve friendly matches in May and we hope to play them at home, hopefully the ministry will have have finished the refurbishments,” he added.
Tanzania and Uganda could host the match should Nyayo and Kasarani be unavailable.
While Tanzania is about 1 hour, 30 minutes via flight, Uganda is 45 minutes away by air.
