Kakamega's Bukhungu Stadium turned into a fan zone as Kenya takes on Madagascar

 

Some of the mounted big screens mounted with Bukhungu International Stadium in Kakamega on Aug 22, 2025. [Bernard Lusigi, Standard]

Kakamega’s Bukhungu Stadium has been turned into a fans zone as Kenya’s Harambee Stars take on Madagascar’s Barea for the first quarter-final clash of the CHAN 2024 tournament, starting today 5pm.

The County, through its Department of Sports and Youth, set up a big digital screen at the stadium for Kenyans to watch the much-anticipated clash that will determine whether Kenya goes to the Semi-finals or not.

This is after the Sports department, through a public notice, urged football fans and locals to visit the stadium and follow the football match without struggling, as the FEASSSA games competition comes to an end.

"The County Government of Kakamega, through the Department of Sports, has set up a big screen at Bukhungu International Stadium for Today's CHAN Football Match between Kenya and Madagascar. Football lovers are invited to watch the match live on our giant digital screen," read the notice.

According to Governor Fernandes Barasa's administration, this is part of his commitment to promoting sports, talents and culture.

"This initiative demonstrates our commitment to promoting sports and creating an engaging environment for fans from across the county," the notice further stated.

Bukhungu Stadium has been hosting regional games, which kicked off on 14th August 2025, and have ended today.

The multi-billion-dollar stadium has been undergoing renovation and is also scheduled to host the Africa Cup of Nations in 2027.

Some of the mounted big screens mounted with Bukhungu International Stadium in Kakamega on Aug 22, 2025. [Bernard Lusigi, Standard]

"We are also on schedule for AFCON 2027, the contractor is putting in more team to ensure that the entire C-section is completed by June next year, and that is what I have basically come to confirm, and therefore we are in control," said Barasa during a site tour inspection two weeks ago.

The county government has so far spent Sh875 million, Sh475 million for the first phase and Sh400 million for the second phase.

Kenya faces Madagascar, which has qualified for Chan for the second time after their 2022 debut and third-place finish; however, Kenya is featuring for the first time.

Kenya has met Madagascar eleven times since May 1972. Kenya has only beaten them four times and has played to a draw twice.

Harambee Stars is making their debut in the continental tournament, having impressed so far by topping Group A.

Kenya defeated two-time champions DR Congo 1-0, stunned Morocco with the same score line, shared points in a 1-1 draw with Angola, and closed their group stage campaign with a 1-0 victory over Zambia.

The impressive results have sparked the belief that the team can go all the way to the finals, backed by thousands of charged, passionate fans filling the stadiums and several fan zones across the country.