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Benni McCarthy faces an early setback as Harambee Stars' World Cup qualifier preparations hit complications, threatening his dream start in Kenya.
Emotions can drive a fan to dream big but for Harambee Stars supporters eager to see their new head coach, Benni McCarthy, leading the team from the Nyayo National Stadium touchline, that dream may remain just that—a dream.
The excitement surrounding Kenya’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Gabon, scheduled for March 24, is now mixed with anxiety as uncertainties mount over the stadium’s readiness.
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) is now facing a logistical nightmare, as Sports Kenya has hinted that the Nyayo Stadium might not be ready in time to host the crucial encounter.
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14:30 - 04.03.2025
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The iconic venue, which has been closed since last year for extensive renovations to meet Confederation of African Football (CAF) standards, remains unavailable just 19 days before the scheduled match.
"The focus is on getting the stadium ready for CHAN in August. As of now, Nyayo Stadium is still under renovation, and the contractor has not handed it over," a source was quoted by local publication Mozzart Sport.
"Unless something extraordinary happens, it’s unlikely the stadium will be ready to host the Gabon game."
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19:48 - 02.03.2025
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The news will come as a heavy blow to Kenyan fans, who have been eagerly waiting for the return of competitive international football on home soil.
Kenya last hosted a FIFA-sanctioned match in November 2021, when they edged Rwanda 2-1 at the same venue.
Since then, the national team has been forced to play "home" matches in foreign countries, including Malawi, Uganda, and South Africa, due to the lack of a CAF-approved stadium.
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05:48 - 04.03.2025
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McCarthy, a man determined to take Kenya to its first-ever FIFA World Cup, has already emphasized the importance of playing at home, making the latest development a frustrating setback.
"It's five years since Kenya last played a home match, so every match you play outside, and it becomes difficult to qualify for anything when you play your home matches in another country," the former FC Porto striker said in an interview with FKF.
"We want to help, but the federation has to do that part so that the team can have a home base. We should not play our matches in Malawi and South Africa," he added.
FKF is now exploring alternative venues, including the possibility of playing the match outside Kenya—an outcome that would deny McCarthy a home debut at Nyayo and deprive Harambee Stars of the crucial home advantage against Gabon.
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19:57 - 02.03.2025
Benni McCarthy gets last laugh as preferred Harambee Stars assistant is made available
Incoming Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy will get to work with the man he had selected as assistant after his current cut ties with him.
The uncertainty surrounding the stadium’s availability also raises concerns about Kenya’s preparations for the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN), which the country is set to co-host alongside Uganda and Tanzania in August.
The match against Gabon was initially intended as a test run for the stadium’s readiness, but with the contractor yet to hand over the venue to Sports Kenya, that plan now appears to be in jeopardy.
The situation mirrors last week’s chaos when the highly anticipated Mashemeji Derby between Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards was postponed due to the unavailability of both Nyayo and Kasarani stadiums.
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