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Kenyan football fans have been handed a major blow after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) indicated that the country’s major stadia; Kasarani and Nyayo fall short of quality standards.
"Reference to the inspection visit conducted by CAF in Nyayo National Stadium and Moi International Sports Center Kasarani as part of the stadiums' assessment for homologation for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifiers," the two letters read in part.
In two separate letters, the African body explained that Nyayo partially met their requirements while Kasarani failed totally to meet inspection requirements.
The temporary approval by CAF means Nyayo can host the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup qualifier against Rwanda slated for Monday November 15 but banned from hosting future CAF matches until the necessary recommendations were conducted.
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NAIROBI, KENYA - JULY 15: A general view on day four of the IAAF U18 World Championships at the Kasarani Stadium on July 15, 2017 in Nairobi, Kenya. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images for IAAF)
"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 went on to explain that the ban will come to effect immediately after the qualifiers.
"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."
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League sides Gor Mahia and Tusker have been dealt a major blow ahead of their CAF Confederation Cup Group Stage matches.
Should the renovations not be complete by the time of the matches, the two clubs might be forced to play their matches out of the country.
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Athletes compete during the official opening of renovated Nyayo National Stadium with 45,000 seat capacity after being closed for 3 years in Nairobi, on September 26, 2020. (Photo by Yasuyoshi CHIBA / AFP) (Photo by YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP via Getty Images)
"Based on the stadium ban decision, the stadium authorities should consider initiating a complete renovation and refurbishment work of the stadium, in order to ensure that the stadium is approved in the future for CAF competitions.
"We recommend that the renovation plan is based on modern architecture, contemporary design, and quality materials with a clear project plan and specific timelines.
In order for CAF to follow the progress of the renovation works, we ask your federation to provide an action plan with the tasks and deadlines for the completion of the works in the stadium," the administrative body concluded.