February 20 – Kenya has confirmed its intention to bid to host the Africa Cup of Nations in 2019 as well as the 2017 Africa Youth Championships.
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) chairman Sam Nyamweya said, “Kenya stands top in Africa as favourites to win these bids.”
“We can now confirm that the government through the Ministry for Youth Affairs and Sports has given us a green light to bid for the aforementioned Championships.”
Algeria, DR Congo, Liberia, Nigeria and Zambia are also expected to join the formal bidding process for ACON 2019 when it opens up later this year.
The FKF said: “Kenya already has two existing FIFA/CAF approved stadiums the MISC Kasarani and the Nyayo National Stadium and two other venues will be upgraded, the Moi Stadium Kisumu and the Mombasa Municipal Stadium have also been earmarked.”
Nyamweya reportedly noted that “the bid boost received a shot in the arm by the recent visit to the country by Bernard Mfubusa from Rwanda,” who inspected stadia and hotels on behalf of CAF.
The CAF team were refused permission to inspect the Mombasa stadium by the local mayor due to an apparent failure of protocol.
Kenyan stadia were banned from hosting FIFA matches following a stampede inside the Nyayo National Stadium and the deaths of seven football supporters in October 2010 during a match between AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia.
The sanctions were partially lifted last year with only 30,000 supporters allowed at the 60,000-seater Kasarani and 15,000 permitted for the 30,000-capacity Nyayo to allow Kenya to honour her international engagements.
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