Nyayo Stadium to host Harambee Stars' World Cup Qualifier next month

Kenya men's national football team - Harambee Stars - will finally get a chance to play in front of their home fans later next month, when the Nyayo National Stadium opens its doors for a crucial 2026 World Cup Qualifier against Gabon on 24 March.

Kenya, owing to the lack of CAF-approved stadia, last played at home on 12 September 2023, but a Sunday announcement by a high level Confederation of African Football Delegation confirmed that Nyayo, which has been under renovations, will get the green-light to host the fixture.

This confirmation follows a two-day inspection tour by the CAF team led by Samson Adamu - the Confederation's Director of Tournament and Events - who confirmed that the venue will play host to the match, as part of its test drive ahead of the upcoming CAF Africa Nations Championships in August.

An inside look at newly refurbished Nyayo National Stadium ready for CHAN [VIDEO]

Nyayo Stadium and the Moi International Sports Centre - Kasarani are the two Kenyan venues that will host the CHAN tournament, which runs from 2-30 August. The two, are also in line to be used during the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

As per a report from the CHAN/ AFCON 2027, Nyayo Stadium - whose upgrading cost is reported to be Ksh. 1.2 Billion - has already one of its four brand new floodlights installed, with work on the other three progressing well.

"The playing surface, changing rooms and media tribune are ready and will be tested during the Gabon match," the report read.

Billions spent by Kenya to renovate and build stadia for AFCON, CHAN

Nyayo Stadium last played host to a Harambee Stars match on 15 November 2021, when Kenya beat Rwanda 2-1 in a 2022 World Cup Qualifying fixture.

In the past two years following the lifting of the FIFA ban, Kenya has only played once at home - the aforementioned September 2023 friendly with South Sudan - and has seen its men's national team seek alternative 'home' venues in Uganda, Malawi and South Africa.

After four games, Kenya are placed fourth in Group F of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, five points behind leaders Ivory Coast.

The Gabon fixture will be one of two games Harambee Stars play in the upcoming international window, following their away match against Gambia on 17 March.

Update on Kasarani

Also inspected by CAF this weekend was the Moi International Sports Centre - Kasarani, which is also undergoing renovations.

As per the report, the delegation on Sunday witnessed the arrival of the remaining material for the canopy, floodlights and electronic scoreboards.

Chairman of the CHAN/ AFCON 2027 Local Oranising Committee Nicholas Musonye said: "We have made good progress with Kasarani and are making steps in the right direction."

Chance for Kenya to gain exposure

Adamu, in the report, noted that members of the CHAN/ AFCON 2027 LOC will be roped into CAF's upcoming competitions - the AFCON U17 and AFCON U20 - to "gain exposure and experience."

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Promotion and advertising

LOC CEO Mike Rabar confirmed that full CHAN 2024 operations would be rolled out on 1 March, with media, oudoor advertising and promotional campaigns kicking off on 1 April.