CHAN: Fingers crossed as CAF inspection team heads to Kinoru with Kipchoge Stadium now ruled out

KPL tours Meru stadium ahead of match on Sunday John Barasa an official from Kenya Premiere League,measures Kinoru football pitch on May 22,2017 in Meru. The inspection tour included County Government staff, Kenya Premier League officials, Football Federation of Kenya (FKF) as well as Tusker FC officials. They are deliberating on the recommendations put forth to them,to determine whether they can use the stadium on Sunday for a match.Photo Peter Muthomi

Kenya race against time to host Africa

FKF now ropes in Machakos as it becomes apparent Eldoret is way off deadline.

All contracts for renovating facilities to host next year’s Africa Nations Championships (CHAN) will be given out by July 1.

This was the assurance given to visiting Confederation of African Football (CAF) inspectors on their second day of inspecting facilities ahead of the 2018 tournament.

The inspectors visited Machakos Stadium yesterday on their second day of inspection. On Monday, they were at Kipchoge Keino Stadium where they expressed disappointment at the slow pace of work going on at the venue.

Football Kenya Federation president Nick Mwendwa also revealed that Machakos Stadium will now be considered as one of the venues to host the tournament due to the slow pace of work in Eldoret.

“We have agreed with the Government that if there is need to advertise any work and especially to engage contractors, it must be done by July 1. After that, all the designated venues will be closed for 21 weeks to enable us plant grass,”

“In the same vein, Machakos Stadium now becomes one of the designated venues for the tournament and will also undergo various renovations to make it ready as we cannot risk with the facility in Eldoret,” he said.

He revealed that a new VIP pavilion and terrace will need to be built at Machakos Stadium.

“It is estimated that all the civil works will cost Sh2billion. In terms of hospitality and other aspects we are doing well and there should be no problem at all,” he said.

The Caf delegation will visit Meru Stadium today. On Thursday, the Caf team will inspect Kasarani and Nyayo stadia. Then on Friday they will hold a briefing on the status of the country.

Kenya has until October to prove their ability to host the tournament which comes every two years.

Caf has made several assurances that the country will be able to host the tournament despite the slow pace in upgrading and renovating facilities.

In April, Caf president Ahmad Ahmad assured that Kenya will host next year’s Africa Nations Championships.

“From our side, it is only the Kenyan Government that can say they do not want to host the tournament. It remains Kenya’s to host to the end,” he said then.

He urged the Government to support FKF to ensure the tournament goes on smoothly in January.