- The match against Gabon will be played at Nyayo Stadium.
- Harambee Stars are in fifth place in Group F with five points.
- The announcement was made by Nicolous Musonye, LOC Chairman.
The African Nations Championship (CHAN) Local Organizing Committee (LOC) Chairman Nicholas Musonye has hinted that Kenya is ready to host its first continental international match at home after nearly two years of staging home matches away.
Kenya has been granted the final approval to host international matches, starting with a game against Gabon in the second leg of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers scheduled to take place at Nyayo International Stadium on 24 March 2025.
The last time the Harambee Stars hosted an international match at Nyayo was a friendly against South Sudan on 12 September 2023 where they were defeated 0-1.
Their most recent continental tournament match on home soil occurred on November 15, 2021, when they hosted Rwanda in the second leg of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, securing a 2-1 victory.
Since then, Kenya has hosted Burundi and Ivory Coast in Malawi, while Zimbabwe and Cameroon were welcomed at Uganda’s Namboole Stadium for the 2025 AFCON qualifiers. Additionally, Namibia was hosted in South Africa.
Play here and stand a chance of winning the over Ksh 404 million SportPesa Mega Jackpot
After many months of anticipation, Kenyans will finally get to see the national team play at home, as Nyayo Stadium was officially approved on Sunday following a two-day inspection by a Confederation of African Football (CAF) delegation, led by the Director of Tournaments and Events Samson Adamu.
Speaking after the meetings in Nairobi, Chairman Musonye stated that CAF has given Kenya the green light, expressing satisfaction with the country’s progress in preparations for the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN) in August.
“We have been receiving visitors from CAF who came to inspect our progress. We held meetings yesterday and again today, and after their inspection, they have given us their seal of approval for the work done,” Musonye said.
ALSO READ: Shujaa handed favourable draw in Hong Kong 7s
He added that there was no reason for concern regarding Kenya’s ability to host the CHAN tournament, emphasizing the substantial work in progress and reassuring the public that the country would be ready.
“I want to tell Kenyans that the government and the ministry are well ahead in preparations for the CHAN tournament, and there is no cause for worry. CAF gave us ample time, and we have even gone above and beyond with our preparations,” he affirmed.
Musonye also invited doubters to attend the World Cup qualifier on March 24, when Kenya will face Gabon at Nyayo Stadium.
“For those who doubt our ability to host this continental tournament, I invite them to come out on March 24 and watch Kenya face Gabon at Nyayo stadium. By then, the stadium will be ready, and they will see the improvements for themselves,” he explained.
ALSO READ: Harambee Starlets coach names strong squad for crucial WAFCON 2026 clash against Tunisia
The national team currently sits in sixth place in Group F, with five points from four matches. Côte d’Ivoire leads the standings with 10 points, followed by Gabon with nine and Burundi with seven.
Gambia occupies fifth place with three points, while Seychelles remains at the bottom with zero points.