After an eight-month closure, Nyayo National Stadium is set to reopen its gates on Sunday, 16 March, for the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifier between Kenya and Uganda.The Kenya U-17 women’s team heads into the second leg with a 2-0 advantage, having defeated Uganda in the first leg at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo.The aggregate winner of this tie will face either Cameroon or Ethiopia in the final qualification round for a spot at the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.##NAJAVA_MECA_8769329##According to tikiti.co.ke, the official ticketing partner for the match, the game will be held at the iconic arena.The venue was last used on April 21, 2024, during the second leg of the 2023/24 Mashemeji Derby between AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia.Gor secured a 1-0 victory, completing a season double over their rivals after winning the first-leg clash 2-0 at Kasarani Stadium.However, the match was marred by chaos when AFC Leopards fans, angered by Austin Odhiambo’s goal and a costly error by goalkeeper Levis Opiyo, pelted the technical area with objects, including uprooted seats.Former Kariobangi Sharks analyst earns promotion at Premier League side Aston VillaPolice had to intervene to restore order, but violence erupted again at full-time, forcing security officers to use tear gas to disperse the crowd.Gor and Leopards’ players had to remain on the pitch under heavy security for over 30 minutes before normalcy was restored. Both clubs were later fined for the damages caused.Following the derby, the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports announced Nyayo as Kenya’s official venue for the delayed 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers, prompting its closure for renovations.Trends Gen Z are using to reshape Kenyan football cultureThe reopening of Nyayo comes as a major relief to football fans and clubs, many of whom struggled to find suitable venues.KCB has been hosting matches at St. Sebastian Park in Murang’a, while most Nairobi-based teams have sought refuge at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos and Dandora Stadium.Leopards and Gor were the hardest hit, with the closure denying fans the thrill of two Mashemeji Derby clashes.Ingwe had to postpone their first-leg meeting with their bitter rivals on November 24, 2024, due to the unavailability of a suitable venue.##NAJAVA_MECA_8769331##The highly anticipated rescheduled match that was set for March 2 at Nyayo was also canceled just two days before kickoff because the stadium was still incomplete.Junior Starlets Ticketing InformationAccording to tikiti.co.ke, tickets are priced at Ksh100 for regular seats and Ksh500 for VIP access.The match, set for a 3 PM kickoff on Sunday, 16 March, will also be streamed live on the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Facebook page.
