CONFIRMED: Nyayo Stadium to host Kenya's World Cup qualifier clash

A bird enjoying the cool breeze at Nyayo National Stadium on March 12, 2021. [Stafford Ondego, The Standard]

Kenya’s Nyayo National Stadium has been approved by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to host Harambee Stars’ upcoming World Cup qualifier clash against Uganda.

The match will be played between June 5, and June 8, 2021.

The facility had been closed for renovation but was re-opened in 2020. Several matches had been played there including the friendly matches between the hosts and Zambia, South Sudan, and Tanzania.

Harambee Stars are scheduled to kick off preparations for the crucial qualifiers later this month (May), subject to the approval of the Ministry of Sports and the Ministry of Health.

Stars will take on Uganda, Mali and Rwanda in the second round of the qualifiers. Only the winner of the group will be guaranteed a place in the final phase of the qualifiers.

All the teams in Group E will be seeking to qualify for the World Cup for the first time.

Stars, steered by the then head coach Bobby Williamson in 2015, reached the second round of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification where they were bundled out by Cape Verde on a 2-1 aggregate scoreline.

Head coach Jacob “Ghost” Mulee will be seeking an improvement from the Stars team with better preparation despite COVID-19 obstacles ahead of the matches.

Tito Okello (Left) of South Sudan contest for the ball with Johnstone Omurwa (Centre) and Cliff Nyakeya during their friendly match at Nyayo National Stadium on March 13, 2021. [Stafford Ondego, The Standard]

Harambee Stars' World Cup qualification fixtures:

Kenya vs Uganda - 5th/6th June

 

Rwanda vs Kenya - 12th/13th June

 

Mali vs Kenya - 3rd/4th Sept.

 

Kenya vs Mali - 6th/7th Sept.

 

Uganda vs Kenya - 6th/7th Oct.

 

Kenya vs Rwanda - 11th/12th Oct.