* Undated
Nyayo National Stadium has been included in the list of stadiums that have been approved for Match day 5 and 6 of the FIFA 2022 World Cup African Qualifiers.
The good news comes after CAF had banned Kasarani Stadium whereas Nyayo Stadium was given a temporary approval. "Reference to the inspection visit conducted by Caf in Moi International Sports Center Kasarani as part of the stadiums' assessment for homologation for the Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifiers," a letter from Caf read.
"Based on the inspection report, we regret to inform you that the stadium did not meet the set minimum Caf stadium requirements and consequently will not be approved for the qualifying matches of the Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022 matchday five & six." Although Nyayo Stadium has been given temporary approval, only the Harambee Stars can use it as Tusker and Gor Mahia will not be allowed to host their Caf Confederation Cup games at the Nairobi facility.
"Based on the inspection report, the stadium continues to lack Caf criteria and requirements in order to properly host international competitions, while the recommendations and remarks addressed to your federation in the context of previous inspections have not been fully implemented," Caf said.
"Upon conclusion of the Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022 matchday five & six, the stadium will only be approved for any subsequent Caf international senior national teams matches and other Caf men’s interclub competitions subject to the implementation of all the Caf remarks. Kindly note that in accordance with the Caf Stadium inspection and approval procedure, a final stadium approval by Caf will only be granted if the points raised are correctly resolved in the coming period and a new Caf inspection confirms this." The letter went on.
The good news also comes days after sports fans were finally allowed back to the stadiums. The Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage has announced that it is ready to welcome back a limited number of stadium spectators.
“For local events, the event organizers shall be expected to provide prior written approvals of the number of spectators allowable for the event by the federation registered in Kenya,” read a statement from the Sports Ministry.
“For local events, the event organizers shall be expected to provide prior written approvals of the number of spectators allowable for the event by the federation registered in Kenya,” added the statement.
The government banned fans from attending sporting venues in March 2020 when COVID-19 landed in the country. In November 2020, the suspension of sporting activity was lifted, but the fans were left out unless in special cases where the Health and Sports ministries cleared them to attend in limited numbers.
Since then, the clamour to allow fans back to stadiums has grown louder in the face of mass political rallies as the country gears for the 2022 General Elections in August 2022.