Kenya’s failure to renovate its stadia on time has not only affected Harambee Stars but also denied the country revenue through sports tourism, as Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana is considering spending his holiday in Uganda.Stars have been hosting their home matches in foreign territory since FIFA lifted the suspension imposed on the country over a year ago.Recently, Kenya hosted five-time African champions Cameroon at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Namboole, Uganda due to the lack of a CAF-approved stadium.##NAJAVA_MECA_8414732##Kenya was forced to play the match behind closed doors following the outpouring of love Ugandans expressed to Onana during last month’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Zimbabwe that was played at the same venue.Fearing that Ugandans might show up in droves and back the Manchester United shot-stopper, Kenya opted to lock the doors for fans who were expected to get behind Onana and his teammates.How to win Andre Onana’s two tickets to watch Manchester United at Old TraffordThat did not deter a determined lady, who was captured on camera jokingly asking Onana to respond to the messages she had sent the former Ajax goalkeeper, a day before the match.##NAJAVA_MECA_8415844##In his post-match comments, Onana promised to return to Uganda for holiday, a visit that will be of significant benefit to the country’s economy and tourism, and a loss to Kenya.“It’s extraordinary [the reception of the Ugandan public]. I want to thank the Ugandan fans for the warm welcome received last time and this time. Let’s hope that I can come back here during the holidays so that we can have more time together to do something good. I will do it, I promise,” Onana was quoted by AllezLesLions, an account associated with the Indomitable Lions.Tactical Analysis: How Harambee Stars managed to contain Cameroon for more than an hourBefore the match against Stars, Onana met Ugandan Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, who seized the moment and requested the former Inter Milan man to make the country his second home.Onana’s intended return to Uganda will be a missed opportunity for Kenya due to the snail pace witnessed in renovating Nyayo and Kasarani Stadia.
