Nyayo Stadium: Why its roaring comeback could ignite Harambee Stars CHAN & AFCON dreams

The Nyayo stadium palyed host to Kenya vs Gabon on Sunday. Photo Source: Hussein Mohammed (X account).

Nyayo Stadium: Why its roaring comeback could ignite Harambee Stars CHAN & AFCON dreams

Stephen Awino 17:10 - 24.03.2025

The Nyayo national stadium roared back to all its glory as Harambee Stars played on home soil for the first time in over two years.

After a long wait, the Nyayo National Stadium, a historic fortress for Kenyan football, reopened its doors in spectacular fashion on Sunday.

The much-anticipated return saw Harambee Stars play their first home match in over two years, facing Gabon in a crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier.

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Despite a 2-1 defeat, the sheer energy and support from the Kenyan faithful could be a game-changer for the national team’s upcoming fixtures.

The closure of both Nyayo and Kasarani stadiums for renovations ahead of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) and Africa Nations Championships (AFCON) forced Harambee Stars to play their home matches abroad.

On February 19, Nicholas Musonye, Chairman of Kenya’s CHAN/AFCON Local Organizing Committee, expressed optimism about the country's preparations for hosting the upcoming tournaments while also confirming Nyayo Stadium as the venue for the Harambee Stars' home fixture against Gabon

“We have made good progress in our preparations, with Kasarani making steps in the right direction and Nyayo also maintaining good momentum,” said Musonye in an interviwe with KBC at the end of the latest CAF inspection tour.

The absence of a home crowd undeniably affected the team, making Sunday’s return all the more significant.

The packed stadium, the roaring chants, and the electrifying atmosphere highlighted just how crucial home support is for the team’s morale and performance.

Kenya still has four matches remaining in their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, with two of them—against Gambia and Seychelles—set to be played at home.

The return to Nyayo could provide Harambee Stars with the much-needed edge, with the 12th man potentially playing a key role in securing positive results.

The passionate home crowd could be the difference in these fixtures, giving the team a much-needed boost as they aim for a respectable finish in the qualifiers.

Beyond the World Cup qualifiers, Harambee Stars will also have their eyes on CHAN 2024, a tournament Kenya is co-hosting alongside Uganda and Tanzania in August.

The return to a fully functional Nyayo and Kasarani could serve as a huge motivational factor for the team, helping them prepare adequately for the continental competition.

Looking further ahead, Kenya’s co-hosting of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with Uganda and Tanzania makes the resurgence of Nyayo Stadium even more significant.

If the atmosphere witnessed against Gabon is anything to go by, Harambee Stars could finally enjoy the home advantage they have lacked in previous major tournaments.

While the loss against Gabon was a setback, the bigger picture is clear—Nyayo Stadium’s return could mark a turning point for Harambee Stars.

With home support back in full force, the team now has a golden opportunity to capitalize on their home fixtures, build momentum for CHAN, and lay the groundwork for AFCON 2027.