Namwamba promises to deliver AFCON Stadiums by 2025
Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba yesterday promised to deliver the selected stadiums by 2025 in the race against time to host the 2027 African Cup of Nations.
His pleddge came as a delegation of CAF inspectors set foot in the capital to check on Kenya’s infrastructure, needed for the hosting of Africa’s top football competition in four years-time.
Ababu was speaking after the first CAF inspection yesterday at the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani, reassuring the government’s commitment to bring home the continental extravaganza.
“I would like to give the assurance that Kenya is very ready in terms of the plan to host the 2027 AFCON.We have a solid, robust,coherent and a well thought plan and if the award was to be to based on the plan alone then I think we have a fantastic plan.We have very clear timelines.Among the things that determines the success of a bid is the timelines,everything has to be time bound and we have figured out everything coherently and succinctly and we believe that we are good to go.We expect that by 2025 most of the targets we have set should be complete by that period,” a confident Namwamba said.
After spending time at Kasarani and Nyayo Stadium yesterday,the CAF inspection team is expected to land in Eldoret today afternoon to see the current state of the Kipchoge Keino Stadium as well as the given plan.
On July 18th, Sports Kenya announced the commencement of tendering process for the rehabilitation of the proposed match day venues,that is Kasarani, Nyayo and Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret to global standards as recommended by Confederations of African Football.
The facilities needing a facelift are expected to be closed for an unspecified period for the renovations.
However,the Ministry of Sports and the Football Kenya Federation are sketching a framework that will see Harambee Stars and Kakamega Homeboyz utilize Nyayo Stadium for international assignments should the venue be given a green bill of health by CAF.
Harambee Stars is set for 2026 World Cup Qualifiers in November while Kakamega Homeboyz have a duty to do for the country in the CAF Confederations Cup begining in September.
Moreover, training facilities, hospitality,security,medical,communication and transport networks will be put to scrutiny by the CAF Inspectors before releasing a report on the hits and misses thus far, giving further instructions on what will be required and the timelines.
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Nick Mwendwa noted that of importance is Kenya to be ready on time or even before the set timelines.
“I just want us to be ready.We are competing with big nations,the inspectors are coming from Algeria and then they head to Botswana and other countries,therefore we just need to play our part of ensuring that we are set by attaining given recommendations on time,that is the most important thing,” Mwendwa commented.
East African nations of Kenya,Tanzania and Uganda in its bid dubbed ‘Pamoja Bid’ are facing stiff competition in their quest to stage the continent’s most coveted tourney for the first time.
The zealous regional bid has been openly and strongly supported by all the three presidents,giving local football ultras the motivation to believe that AFCON is coming closer.
Established football countries of Egypt and Algeria are loudly drumming with big ambitions for the 2027 hosting rights.
Botswana is another country that is seeking consideration from CAF to host the tournament.
