Football Kenya Federation (FKF) might have to look for an alternative venue beyond borders after Sports Kenya indicated that Nyayo Stadium may not be ready in time to host Kenya’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Gabon on Monday, 24 March.The stadium has been closed since last year to undergo major renovations to meet the Confederation of African Football (CAF) standards, which are required for hosting international matches, including the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN).Kenya is also slated to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) alongside Uganda and Tanzania, making the renovations even more momentous.##NAJAVA_MECA_8755774##Last month, CHAN’s Local Organizing Committee (LOC) announced that Kenya would play Gabon at Nyayo Stadium, a test match to assess the stadium’s readiness ahead of CHAN in August. However, that plan now seems in jeopardy, as the contractor has not yet handed over the stadium to Sports Kenya, leaving the federation in a tight spot just 19 days before the match.A source familiar with the situation told Mozzart Sport that there is a chance the game will not be played in the stadium.“The focus is on getting the stadium ready for CHAN in August. As of now, Nyayo Stadium is still under renovation, and the contractor has not handed it over. Unless something extraordinary happens, it’s unlikely the stadium will be ready to host the Gabon game.” The source added that the federation has been informed to explore alternative venues as a backup plan.Kenyans share expectations placed on new Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthyEfforts to reach Sports Kenya’s acting Director General, Gabriel Komori, proved futile as calls went unanswered.This development comes just a week after the highly anticipated Mashemeji Derby was postponed due to the unavailability of a suitable venue. Initially set for Kasarani Stadium, the match was moved to Nyayo Stadium before being canceled altogether when both venues were declared unavailable.Government provides update on CHAN, AFCON preparationsKenya last hosted a competitive match on home soil in November 2021, defeating Rwanda 2-1 in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier at Nyayo Stadium. Since then, the national team has been forced to play home matches in Malawi, Uganda, and South Africa, as no stadium in Kenya currently meets CAF standards.If Nyayo Stadium is not ready in time for the Gabon match, it would be a major setback for the new Harambee Stars coach, Benni McCarthy who emphasised the importance of playing at home in an interview with FKF.”It’s five years since Kenya last played a home match, so every match you play outside, and it becomes difficult to qualify for anything when you play your home matches in another country. We want to help, but the federation has to do that part so that the team can have a home base. We should not play our matches in Malawi and South Africa,” said the former FC Porto forward.The South African coach has expressed his desire to lead Kenya to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but if the match against Gabon has to be played outside the country, McCarthy’s ambitions may face a tough challenge without the support of the passionate Kenyan fans in the stands.New Mara Sugar defender reveals peculiar reason for rejecting Nairobi clubs
