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With the Kasarani and Nyayo not approved, it leaves the three neighbours Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania with only one accredited stadium to host top continental football matches.
East Africa’s bid to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations has faced a fresh severe blow following the exclusion of two of Kenya’s top football venues.
On Thursday, The Confederation of African Football (CAF) dismissed both the Moi International Sports Centre in Kasarani and Nyayo National Stadium from the list of pre-approved stadiums to host qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The suitability of host venues for the AFCON has always been viewed as a significant handicap for the region to mount a serious bid to host the tournament in four years.
With the Kasarani and Nyayo not approved, it leaves the three neighbours Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania with only one accredited stadium to host top continental football matches.
Raul Chepindo, CAF Development Director, had penned a letter during that period that highlighted the outcome of the inspection visit to Kasarani.
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The letter, also addressed to FKF Chief Executive Officer Barry Otieno, stated, "Referring to the inspection visit conducted by CAF at Kasarani as part of the stadium's assessment for qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifiers.”
“Based on the inspection report, we regret to inform you that the stadium did not meet the minimum CAF Stadium requirements set, and as a result, it will not be approved for the qualifying matches."
Despite concerted efforts to upgrade the stadiums, the challenge of meeting CAF's high standards remained insurmountable.
The two venues together with the Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret were put forward by Kenya as possible venues for the 2027 AFCON.
Only Tanzania’s Benjamin Mkapa Stadium is the accredited venue in the region, with Uganda’s Mandela National Stadium still under construction that is expected to lapse in November.
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Uganda, alongside neighbours Kenya and Tanzania, joined forces to present their bid, termed the 'Pamoja' bid for consideration to the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Federation of Uganda Football Federation (FUFA) president Moses Magogo on several occasions though has lamented that bids are not granted on available facilities, but rather proposed plans.
But there have been contrary views that there should be a desirable level of facilities available to aid and persuade CAF to grant a bid.
In July, the East African nations laid their planned venues for CAF’s inspection delegation.
In Uganda, the venues under review include the Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, St. Mary’s Stadium in Kitende, and Nakivubo Stadium, the latter two of which have been designated as training grounds.
Uganda had also mooted plans to construct two extra venues in Lira and Hoima for the tournament.
Tanzania, on the other hand, will lean on the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium – the only CAF certified stadium among the three nations, and a few others that need upgrading.
Up against bids from Algeria, Senegal, Botswana, and Egypt, the future of Kenya's football journey is at a crossroads.
Meanwhile, this exclusion comes as a dire setback for Kenya's football aspirations, necessitating the search for alternative venues abroad for their qualifying matches.
This development follows a prior ban imposed by CAF in 2021, when both venues were deemed unfit to host matches due to non-compliance with the necessary requirements.
While Nyayo Stadium briefly received permission to host two games in 2021, the reprieve was fleeting, and ultimately the stadium could not meet the rigorous standards laid down by CAF.
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The disappointment of being unable to host crucial qualifying matches on home soil now forces Kenya to seek alternate venues abroad to ensure the continuity of their World Cup campaign.
The significance of CAF's decision reverberates deeply, especially as Harambee Stars find themselves in Group F alongside Burundi, Gambia, Ivory Coast, and Seychelles.
The urgency of identifying suitable international venues for hosting the qualifiers now falls on the shoulders of the Football Kenya Federation.
With the first-round matches of the African qualifiers slated to kick off in November across various venues on the continent, time is of the essence for the FKF to secure appropriate locations.
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