The Nyayo National Stadium is set to host Kenya’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Gabon on March 24 in a game which will serve as a test event ahead of the CAF Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament in August.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed this development on Sunday, February 23, after a two-day inspection by a high-level delegation led by CAF’s Director of Tournaments and Events Samson Adamu.
The decision will be a huge boost to Kenya’s preparations to host the CHAN tournament in August and the subsequent Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2027, especially after the tournament was postponed in January owing to Kenya's unpreparedness in terms of infrastructure.
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Hussein Mohammed, who also serves as the Vice Chairman of Kenya’s Local Organizing Committee for CHAN 2025 and AFCON 2027, revealed on Sunday that more test matches could be witnessed at the Nyayo Stadium and other venues which have been undergoing renovation to put them to international standards.
Alongside the Nyayo Stadium, the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani. is also set to host the CHAN tournament from August 2 to 30.
Previously, the Harambee Stars have had to play their previous home qualifiers against Burundi and Cote d’Ivoire in Malawi. Due to the unavailability of Nyayo Stadium and Kasarani.
Kenya’s Ministry of Sports has also had to bear criticism from Kenyans after AFCON qualification matches were held in Kampala, Uganda, and Polokwane in South Africa, begging questions on whether there would be proper home matches in the near future.
Notably, the Chairman of Kenya’s CHAN/AFCON Local Organizing Committee Nicholas Musonye, boosted Kenya's hopes of hosting the continental spectacle by expressing his delight at the progress he witnessed at the Nyayo National stadium.
“We have made good progress in our preparations, with Kasarani moving in the right direction and Nyayo maintaining good momentum,” he stated at the end of the latest CAF inspection tour.
At the Nyayo Stadium, one of four new floodlights have been installed, and works are ongoing to rectify the remaining three. Further, the playing surface, changing rooms and media tribune are also ready to be utilised.
Since Kenya is co-hosting CHAN with her neighbours Uganda and Tanzania, the CAF delegation will also travel to these nations for further inspections.
The Nelson Mandela National Stadium (Uganda) and the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium (Tanzania) are among the biggest stadia names that will be subjected to intense scrutiny by the international body.
