The Government has provided an update over where Harambee Stars will host Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang’s Gabon in
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers approach, the Kenyan government has provided an update on the potential venues where Harambee Stars will host Gabon in the return leg this March.
Kenya will be hosting Gabon –marshalled by former Arsenal star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang -on 24th March, one week after facing Gambia -now under the tutelage of former Gor Mahia coach Johnathan McKinstry – away from home.
The national team last played a home international match in 2023, suffering a 1-0 defeat to South Sudan at Kasarani Stadium.
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Since then, all their home fixtures have been held on foreign soil due to the lack of a CAF-approved stadium. In June 2024, they hosted Burundi and Ivory Coast in Malawi, securing 1-1 and 0-0 draws, respectively.
Additionally, during the 2025 AFCON qualifiers, they played Zimbabwe and Cameroon in Uganda’s Namboole Stadium, before concluding the campaign with a fixture in South Africa.
Harambee Stars currently sit fourth in Group F with five points, having registered one win, one loss, and two draws in their four matches so far.
With Kenya preparing to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations alongside Uganda and Tanzania, efforts are being intensified to meet CAF standards for both AFCON and the upcoming 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in August, with Kasarani & Nyayo Stadia set to be the venues that will be used for the tournament.
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Providing an update on the stadium selection, Sports Principal Secretary Peter Tum spoke after attending Harambee Starlets’ goalless draw against Tunisia at Ulinzi Sports Complex on Friday.
“We now have an LOC led by Mr. Musonye, and part of their responsibility is to oversee which facilities our players will use for training, as well as those designated for upcoming tournaments,” Tum stated.
He further revealed that CAF inspectors are currently assessing facilities and will soon provide an official verdict.
“The CAF inspectors are around, and they will give us an answer. The LOC, which was gazetted three months ago, is doing a commendable job. They will guide us, and our role as the government is to facilitate. If CAF recommends a specific field, we will abide by their decision.”
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Tum remained cautiously optimistic but assured Kenyans that the government is fully committed to sports development.
“I am pessimistic, but let me guarantee you that we are doing our best, and Kenyans will be very happy. The government has prioritized sports and youth affairs.”
Earlier this month, Tum, FKF President Hussein Mohammed, and CAF officials toured Kasarani Stadium to inspect the ongoing renovations. The government expressed satisfaction with the progress and confirmed that the venue would be ready by April 2025.
“This year, it will be completed because we initially divided the project into two phases. The first phase was for CHAN, but since the tournament was postponed, we decided to merge it with phase two to finalize everything for both CHAN and AFCON 2027,” Tum explained.
With the CAF inspection underway, Harambee Stars fans eagerly await confirmation of where the national team will finally play a home game on Kenyan soil.
