Why Harambee Stars could play 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Burundi and Ivory Coast at Nyayo Stadium

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Why Harambee Stars could play 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Burundi and Ivory Coast at Nyayo Stadium

Festus Chuma 20:45 - 16.05.2024

Harambee Stars may host their World Cup qualifiers against Burundi and Ivory Coast at home

Harambee Stars fans might have a reason to cheer as the Sports Ministry has reignited efforts to have Nyayo National Stadium host the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Burundi and the Ivory Coast in June.

The Ministry has invited the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to re-inspect the facility in a bid to secure approval for Harambee Stars' World Cup qualifier matches. 

Previously, the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) had confirmed that it would host the qualifier against Burundi in Lilongwe, Malawi, on June 7, 2024, due to the lack of CAF-approved stadiums in the country.

Principal Secretary Peter Tum, appearing before the National Assembly Committee on Sports, announced that his Ministry had invited CAF's inspectorate team to conduct a re-inspection of Nyayo National Stadium. 

"CAF's inspection team has confirmed that they will be in the country in one or two weeks to inspect Nyayo Stadium again," Tum stated.

"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."

The Ministry's renewed efforts come after extensive renovations were undertaken following the stadium's closure. 

Tum assured football fans that Nyayo would be given a clean bill of health to host the qualifier matches. 

He noted that Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba 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," Tum said. 

"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."

Tum highlighted that the only remaining area of concern is the lighting project, which is nearing completion. 

"The only area we are working on now is the lighting project, which will soon be complete," he added.

The National Assembly Committee on Sports, led by Dan Wanyama, expressed concerns over the initial decision to hold World Cup qualifier matches 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.

Wanyama added that the Committee would 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. 

"We will conduct our own inspection to ensure that everything is up to standard," he said.

With the renewed push for Nyayo Stadium's re-inspection, there is renewed optimism that Harambee Stars could play their crucial World Cup qualifier matches on home turf. 

The upcoming inspection by CAF's team will be pivotal in determining whether the stadium will be approved to host the high-stakes matches against Burundi and the Ivory Coast.

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