Kenyan football clubs forced to seek alternative venues for CAF matches
By Dennis Mabuka, July 7, 2023Football Kenya Federation (FKF) confirmed yesterday that Gor Mahia and Kakamega Homeboyz will get alternative venues – probably even outside the country – to host their Confederation of Africa Football assignments next season.
FKF President Nick Mwendwa, Kenya’s main stadia – Kasarani and Nyayo Stadium – are still not approved by the CAF to host international matches, and as such the ban will deny the Kenyan teams’ home advantage during their respective matches.
“Gor Mahia and Homeboyz will definitely be forced to get an alternative because it is clear we don’t have approved stadia to host CAF matches,” Mwendwa told People Sport,adding:
“This has been the case for a very long time, it is not news anymore; we have not been having any approved stadia, so they(Gor Mahia and Homeboyz) will have to look for a plan B.
By virtue of winning the FKF Premier League with 70 points, Gor Mahia will represent Kenya in the Champions League while Homeboyz, who defeated Tusker 1-0 in the final of the Mozzart Bet FKF Cup, will be the flag bearers in the Confederation Cup.
When reached for comment, Homeboyz chairman Cleophas Shimanyula confirmed he had been informed of the same situation and further called on the County Government of Kakamega to fast-track completing work at Bukhungu Stadium so they can be able to use the venue for their matches.
“I have been informed as of now, Kenya does not have any approved stadia to stage CAF matches, I was told we can only play in Tanzania because even in Uganda, they are having the same issues just like us Kenya,”Shimanyula told People Sport.
“I feel it will be very unfair for Homeboyz to play matches outside the country, I want to request our governor to speed up the work being done at Bukhungu Stadium so we can stand a chance to play our matches there, we are representing Kenya and not Tanzania so it will be painful for our fans to see our matches taken to Tanzania or any other country.
If you saw our homecoming when we paraded the domestic trophy in Kakamega, it was great because fans turned out in large numbers to receive the team, these same fans are yawning to watch us play and taking the match away from them will be catastrophic, to say the least,” Shimanyula stated.