LOC boss Musonye all gaga over new-look Kasarani, home to Chan Group ‘A’

Speaking during an interview with Bernard Ndong and James Wokabi on NTV Monday night show SportOn!, Musonye, also hailed the country for overcoming doubts over its ability to host the tournament following past failures at organising 1996 Afcon and 2018 Chan 2018.

“This time we are ready and we are set to kick off on August 3,” Musonye, who was in the LOC of the 1987 All Africa Games, said of Kenya's preparedness.

Kasarani, inaugurated in 1987, was initially closed for renovations in 2017 to prepare it for hosting the 2018 Chan.

However, Kenya was stripped of hosting rights because of lack of preparedness.

“We had to do a complete overhaul of what had been done previously, which included even the playing surface,” Musonye said of the recent efforts to upgrade the stadium. “We have planted new grass which meets the standard required for playing football,” he added.

Musonye however, added that the Bermuda grass planted on the playing surface will be uprooted after the tournament and a new one planted for use during the 2027 Afcon.

“The grass we have planted has not had time to mature properly. We only planted it six months and after the tournament we will uproot it and replant it so that by the time Afcon 2027 comes; the surface will be of top-notch quality.”

Read: What it took to turn Kasarani and Nyayo into world class stadiums

Bermuda grass is preferred for playing surfaces in areas with warm climates because of its durability and resistance to drought. Bermuda grass is also considered aesthetically pleasing due to its dark green colour, which blends well with TV camera settings to give a good appearance of the football pitch.

The playing surface is surrounded by an artificial turf.

Musonye said that the cover is temporary, as the running track that was there had been removed because it had worn out.

“After Chan, the artificial turf will be removed and the new running track will be installed.”

The installation of the running track will restore Kasarani to a multi-purpose sports facility, which can also be used by athletes.

Other changes to Kasarani include the installation of a new canopy, which is currently being fitted with floodlights that illuminate the standard required by CAF, 1 200 LUX. The canopy covers all sitting areas, meaning all spectators will be sheltered from the rain or scorching sunlight.

Kasarani has also been made an all-seater stadium, hence seeing the reduction of its capacity from 60,000 to 48,000.

Musonye reckons the new capacity of the stadium will help reduce overcrowding during matches. “When fans used to sit on concrete previously, the stadium could be crowded with as many as 100,000 people, like it happened during the final match of the 1987 All Africa Games, which Kenya lost 1-0 to Egypt.”

The seats in the stadium are also numbered, a feature which will streamline the ticketing operations for events held at the stadium.

Kasarani also now has a media tribune and a big screen. The VVIP and VIP sections also have new seats and upgraded lounges.

“The Vvip section has 60 seats, while the two VIP sections will have 300 seats each. One section of the VIP will be reserved for exclusive use by CAF while the other will be used by the government to allocate seats to cabinet secretaries, permanent secretaries, and other high-ranking government officials,” Musonye said.

The changing rooms have been fitted with seats that have drawers and safes. Other compartments in the changing rooms include a room with a massage table, five toilets with seats, a room with an ice bath, showers with hot and cold water, and sinks for washing hands.