The Sports Ministry has re-ignited campaigns to have Nyayo Stadium host the FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Burundi and the Ivory Coast in June.The absence of a CAF/FIFA-approved stadium in Kenya has led the FKF to relocate the June World Cup qualifiers against Burundi and the Ivory Coast to Lilongwe, Malawi. This decision has sparked mixed reactions among Kenyans.##NAJAVA_MECA_8103729##The Ministry now says it has invited CAF to re-inspect the facility in a bid to host Harambee Stars’ World Cup qualifier matches.Appearing before the National Assembly Committee on Sports, Principal Secretary Peter Tum said his Ministry had invited the CAF inspectorate team to conduct an inspection of the stadium. This comes after a previous inspection ruled the facility unfit to host qualifier matches.”CAF’s inspection team has confirmed that they will be in the country in one or two weeks to inspect Nyayo Stadium again,” said Tum.He explained that the team had been invited by Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba to conduct the exercise after the Ministry met some of CAF’s demands.”The fact that CAF’s team has agreed to come again for an inspection after a request by the CS gives the country and football fans hope of watching Harambee Stars start their World Cup qualifier campaign on home soil,” he said.The PS, who appeared before the Dan Wanyama-led Committee, assured football fans that Nyayo would be given a clean bill of health to host the qualifier matches.He noted that the CS is determined to ensure that all FIFA requirements are met.”The implications of not hosting qualifier matches at home are bad for the country and the national team,” he said.He added, “It is because of this reason that the CS has put all mechanisms in place to ensure that the country complies with all the requirements.”CONFIRMED: Harambee Stars to host FIFA World Cup qualifier against Burundi in MalawiHe noted that extensive renovations have been undertaken following the stadium’s closure.”The only area we are working on now is the lighting project, which will soon be complete,” said Tum.He also confirmed that Bukhungu Stadium has been ruled out as a host for the CHAN championship.”Our fallback plan for CHAN is Nyayo Stadium after Bukhungu was ruled out by CAF,” said Tum.He added that renovations of Kasarani Stadium, earmarked to host AFCON in 2027, are 30 percent complete.Wanyama noted that the Committee was concerned with information that World Cup qualifier matches by the national team would be held in Lilongwe, Malawi.”As an oversight entity, we don’t see a tangible reason why the Ministry cannot comply with FIFA standards for our stadiums to host matches of such magnitude,” said the Webuye West MP.He added that the Committee will also tour Nyayo Stadium to inspect the progress made by the Ministry in ensuring that it meets FIFA’s conditions to host World Cup qualifiers.Odongo elated with Homeboyz’s win against Nzoia Sugar
