Kenya vs Gabon World Cup qualifier to test Nyayo stadium ahead of Chan
Samson Adam, CAF's Tournaments and Events Director (centre, hands in pocket) with members of Kenya's CHAN_AFCON LOC during an inspection visit at Kasarani on Saturday, February 22, 2025.
Harambee Stars were forced to play their home matches against Burundi and Cote d’Ivoire in Malawi as both Nyayo and MISC Kasarani were not approved to host international fixtures.
News that the Nyayo National Stadium will host the Gabon fixture is music to the ears of Kenya’s action-starved football fans who also endured the agony of seeing Harambee Stars also play their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification fixtures in Kampala (Uganda) and Polokwane (South Africa).
Kenya’s crucial Group “F” 2026 World Cup qualifier against Gabon on March 24 will be played at the Nyayo National Stadium as part of a test drive for the venue ahead of the delayed 2024 Africa Nations Championship (Chan) tournament in August.
This was confirmed Sunday at the end of a two-day inspection tour by a high-level Confederation of African Football (Caf) delegation led by Samson Adamu, the Confederation’s Director of Tournaments and Events. Football Kenya Federation President Hussein Mohammed - who is also the Vice Chairman of Kenya’s Local Organising Committee for the Chan and 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) tournaments – also confirmed that discussions are underway to have more test matches at the Nyayo National Stadium and Moi International Sports Centre (MISC), Kasarani, which will host the Chan tournament from August 2 to 30 and also the 2027 Afcon matches.
