Global stars like Lamine Yamal and Virgil van Dijk could play in Nairobi if reports by Spanish media outlet ES SPORT are confirmed.
The news suggests that FC Barcelona is looking at Kenya as a top choice for their preseason tour this August.
The Spanish giants are reportedly planning a massive friendly match against Liverpool on August 8, at a venue in the capital city. This would bring some of the world’s best football players right to the heart of the city in the sun.
ALSO READ: Yamal pearl seals Barcelona La Liga title triumph at Espanyol
Why European giants Barcelona and Liverpool could play in Nairobi
According to the outlet, the club is currently deciding on how to finish its summer schedule. The Spanish press stated: “Once the stage is finished, the club considers two stages to continue the tour.
The first would be to travel to Nairobi to face Liverpool FC on August 8, in a highly attractive match. The other option would be to play a match in Morocco on August 5 against a local team, an alternative that is also valued for its proximity.”
The report says that Barcelona’s management is choosing between two main plans. The first plan is to fly to Nairobi to face Liverpool in what would be a very popular game. The second option is to play in Morocco on August 5 against a local team.
While Morocco is closer to Spain, the chance to play a big team like Liverpool in Kenya is seen as a very exciting opportunity for the club to grow its brand in Africa.
For Barcelona’s coach, Hansi Flick, the trip to Nairobi fits into a plan to keep the players fresh. Instead of a long and tiring tour in the United States, the team wants to train in England first before coming to Kenya for the big finale.
This allows the players to prepare in a cooler climate before heading to Nairobi for the match. It would be a huge test for the team just before the new season begins in Europe.
On the other side having already confirmed a tour of the United States earlier in the summer, the addition of a Nairobi fixture would offer the Reds a chance to solidify their global standing. If confirmed, this encounter would be the first meeting between the two sides since their UEFA Champions League semi-final in 2019.
Local fans and media personnel are already anticipating the impact such a game would have on the Kenyan sports landscape. Beyond the excitement on the pitch, the arrival of global superstars like Robert Lewandowski and Alexis MacAllister would provide a massive boost to local tourism and the Kenyan football brand.
While the final decision between Nairobi and Morocco is still pending official confirmation from the clubs, the mere possibility has already set the conversation online abuzz.