How Bungoma is positioning itself for Kenya's AFCON bid

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FOOTBALL How Bungoma is positioning itself for Kenya's AFCON bid

Kiplagat Sang • 13:55 - 25.03.2023

The county is upgrading one of the stadiums in anticipation of the 2027 bid.

Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka has revealed how they are improving the state of Masinde Muliro Stadium ahead of Kenya’s Africa Cup of Nations bid.

Recently, the Cabinet approved Kenya’s bid to host the continental competition in 2027. The bid is expected to be a joint venture with other East African countries notably Uganda and Tanzania.

And now Lusaka wants his county to be well prepared to host part of the competition should Kenya’s bid see the light of day.

"We are also strategising so that when Kenya bids for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, we shall offer Kanduyi [now Masinde Muliro Stadium] as one of the venues to host some of the matches," Lusaka told Nation Sports.

"We have had discussions with the Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Ababu Namwamba, to support us as a county to complete the project on time.

"We are looking forward to the completion of the facility in the next one year. We seriously need the facility to help the youths nurture their talents."

"Apart from football, we also have other sporting events like volleyball and athletics. This county is proud of producing world beaters and the stadium will help us capture and develop more talent."

The construction of the stadium started in 2019 with a budgetary allocation of Ksh650 million. It is expected to host a maximum of 5000 people when it is complete. The main pavilion will have 2,000 seats, while the terraces will have 3,000.

The stadium is expected to be fitted with modern changing rooms, lockers, offices for sports officials and team coaches, changing rooms for ancillary staff, public washrooms, first aid, a medical centre, a pitch maintenance and control room, and a VIP lounge.

In Bungoma, only Sudi stadium, home to Nzoia Sugar, has been given the green light to host top-tier games.

According to Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Ababu Namwamba, the AFCON bid will boost Kenya’s chances of qualifying for the 2030 World Cup.

Recently, Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat and defender David ‘Cheche’ Ochieng called for the improvement of local facilities to aid talent development.

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