Sports CS Ababu Namwamba has handed over major stadiums for AFCON 2027 preparations, impacting Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards' home matches.
Sports CS Ababu Namwamba has made a monumental announcement that directly impacts two of the biggest clubs in the FKF Premier League – Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards.
In a strategic move to position Kenya as the ideal host for the 2027 AFCON (Africa Cup of Nations), the government is set to close down two major stadiums, which are home grounds for these prominent teams.
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The Nyayo Stadium, a fortress for AFC Leopards, and the Kasarani Stadium, the home of Gor Mahia, are among the four stadiums that have been handed over for construction and renovation. The other two include Kipchoge Keino Stadium and the new Talanta Sports City.
The decision has raised eyebrows in the Kenyan football fraternity, primarily due to the sheer importance of these venues for club fixtures, especially for Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards.
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With the government yet to provide a specific date for the closure and reopening of these stadiums, the immediate future of these teams regarding their home matches remains uncertain.
Erastus Abonyo, the government architect, provided some insights into the planned upgrades.
"We are going to install a new roof to enhance the lighting quality, establish a new company, and upgrade the venue operation center to meet FIFA standards at the Nyayo Stadium. Furthermore, the tartan and media center will see enhancements. Once the roofing is completed, we'll also expand the VIP capacity and improve the changing rooms," Abonyo remarked.
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The upgrades at Kasarani seem just as extensive, with a focus on improving the athletes' areas, lighting standards, and the installation of a new tartan track. An added advantage will be the establishment of a training venue associated with the Kasarani Sports Centre.
However, with these developments, the pressing question remains: Where will Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards host their matches? Given the prominence and passionate fan base of both clubs, finding alternative venues that match the standards and capacity of Nyayo and Kasarani might be a challenge.
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The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) has been tasked with these renovation projects, a decision influenced by their remarkable achievement in constructing the 10,000-seater Ulinzi Sports Complex in an impressively short span.
Kenya's bid to co-host the 2027 AFCON with neighbors Uganda and Tanzania is indeed an ambitious one. The competition is stiff, with Algeria, Botswana, and Egypt also in the race with individual bids.
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However, with the rapid improvements and renovations being made to its sports infrastructure, Kenya aims to present a compelling case by the announcement date on September 27.