CHAN 2024: Video of Nyayo Stadium Renovation Progress Emerges As Tournament Draws Closer
- Nyayo Stadium is ready to host the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) after being handed over to the tournament's local organising committee
- Kenya is co-hosting the tournament with Uganda and Tanzania, with Nyayo set to host Group A matches
- The stadium, launched more than 40 years ago, underwent minor upgrades after the Harambee Stars faced Gabon at the venue in March
A video has surfaced online, showing the state of Nyayo Stadium ahead of the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN), which kicks off next month.
Source: Twitter
Nyayo and Kasarani Stadiums will host CHAN matches next month, with Kasarani already handed over to the tournament's local organising committee.
Nyayo was completed earlier this year, allowing Harambee Stars, AFC Leopards, and Gor Mahia to use it. However, it was later closed for further renovations. The stadium was first built in 1983.
When did Nyayo Stadium renovation start?
Defence Cabinet Secretary, Soipan Tuya, confirmed that she has handed over Nyayo Stadium to the Sports docket, headed by Salim Mvurya.
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Mvurya then transferred the stadium to the CHAN Local Organising Committee (LOC), led by Nicholas Musonye.
The track at Nyayo Stadium was replaced and was originally scheduled to host the 2025 Kip Keino Classic, but it wasn't ready in time. The event, which attracted top track and field athletes, was held at the Ulinzi Sports Complex.
Kenya will play all of their CHAN games at Kasarani, while Nyayo will host six matches, all from Group A.
"The Ministry of Defence, is today proud to have successfully led the upgrading of Nyayo National Stadium, the Moi International Sports Center- Kasarani (MISC), and all auxiliary stadia in readiness for Kenya’s co-hosting of next month's African Nations Championship (CHAN)," Tuya wrote on X.
"I handed over Nyayo National Stadium, Police Sacco Stadium and Ulinzi Complex Stadium to my Sports counterpart...who also handed over the stadium to the CHAN Local Organizing Committee (LOC)."
Which teams will play at Nyayo, Kasarani?
Kenya will host Group A matches. Two-time winners Morocco, DR Congo, Angola, and Zambia will play their group matches in Kenya.
Harambee Stars will play their games at Kasarani, a venue that will host the final on August 30.
Tanzania, Uganda, and Zanzibar will host Group B, C, and D matches. Taifa Stars will kick off the tournament against Burkina Faso on August 3 at the Benjamin Mkapa stadium.
Uganda's Nelson Mandela Stadium and Zanzibar's Amaan Stadium will also host matches.
Source: Twitter
What did Benni McCarthy say about Harambee Stars group?
Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy cut Yakeen Muteheli, Staphod Odhiambo, Keith Imbali, Kelly Madada, and Tusker FC goalkeeper Brian Opondo.
Benni McCarthy's Harambee Stars are in the "group of death" for CHAN 2024.
"It is clear for everyone to see that we are in the group of death. It is an impossible group to be in but a fantastic challenge for us to see how far we've come," he said. "So it will be a nice challenge."
"We've got everything in our path to succeed. The players are well prepared, and they are ready for the challenge"
Kenya are looking to win their first major football tournament.
Harambee Stars friendlies before CHAN 2024
McCarthy will lead his side in a mini-tournament at the Karatu Stadium in Tanzania before CHAN starts.
Harambee Stars will face Uganda in their first game on Monday, July 21, before they play Tanzania three days later. They'll conclude the friendly set of games on July 27 against Congo Brazzaville, a week before their opening game against DR Congo.
"The coach has been working well with us. It is nice to learn from someone who has played at very high levels like him," said Austine Odhiambo.
"The pressure will be on us to deliver since the tournament is being held on home soil and we want to make sure we make the fans proud."
Kipchumba Murkomen sends warning to Kenyans
In a related story, we reported that Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen told Kenyans to behave ahead of CHAN.
Kenya was rocked by deadly protests last month, and there were fears it could disrupt the tournament.
In March, Kenyans packed Nyayo Stadium for Harambee Stars' World Cup qualifier against Gabon.
Martin Moses, head of sports desk, added details about Harambee Stars' friendlies in Tanzania before CHAN.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
