Nyayo Stadium closed for renovations, to be ready to host Homeboyz CAF clash
By Dennis Mabuka, August 4, 2023The government has shut Nyayo Stadium for renovation after the recently concluded World Rugby U20 Trophy 2023.
Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba, who toured the facility yesterday, said the move is aimed at preparing the venue for Kakamega Homeboyz’s Caf Confederation Cup fixture against Al Hilal Benghazi of Libya on August 18.
“This is the only option we have (in the country), otherwise Kakamega (Homeboyz) will be forced to take their match to Tanzania and we don’t want that to happen,” Namwamba told the contractors while touring the venue.
“I don’t know what it will take you to have the venue ready for the Homeboyz match,” Namwamba continued, adding: “Even if it means adding manpower to what you have now, I will support that, we need more equipment to do this work, we can’t use only one fork (jembe) to do the job, you need to add more and must finish this job.”
He added: “How much time do we need to have the playing surface ready?” he posed a question which one of contractors responded, six days we will be ready, and then Namwamba continued: “I don’t want us to lose even a day of work here, it is extremely tight, very tight, and we have to play that Homeboyz match here, this pitch, is also where Harambee Stars will play, and we should protect this pitch, we have to protect this pitch.”
On Wednesday, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Nick Mwendwa confirmed to People Sports the visiting delegation from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) had ordered the facility to undergo minor refurbishments in readiness for the preliminary round clash.Home
boyz chairman Cleophas Shimanyula welcomed Namwamba’s intervention saying they will be prepared to play at Nyayo. “We were surprised and in shock being asked to take our game away from the fans (by playing in Tanzania) but I am now happy FKF and the government through Namwamba have heard our cries and acquired Nyayo for use,” Shimanyula told People Sports, adding: “Nyayo is a good venue, we understand it better than playing in Tanzania and I know we will not let down our fans.”