Coast now pushing to host some of the 2027 Afcon matches

Coast football stakeholders are now pushing some of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations matches to be played in Mombasa.

Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania won the Pamoja Bid to host the 2027 Afcon.

The government has identified three stadia, including Moi International  Sports Centre (MISC), Kasarani and Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi and Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu county, for renovations in readiness for 2027 Afcon matches.

However, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) National Executive Council member, representing the Coast region,  Gabriel Mghendi on Wednesday said these do not need to be the only stadia to host the matches.

Mghendi said they are ready to speak to counties willing to host such football matches to help them come up with a standard football stadium that meets Caf specifications.

“I have faith we will get more stadia ready before the tournament,” Mghendi said.

The Coast representative has been fighting to have some of the matches brought to Mombasa, a historical tourist destination.

On Wednesday, he said talks between the Mombasa County Government, the national government, and the federation are ongoing to have the Mombasa Stadium ready to host some of the matches in 2027.

The stadium has been closed for renovation for over a decade now with works painstakingly slow.

“We would like to have at least four or five matches played in Mombasa because we have everything in place to host teams except a standard pitch,” Mghendi said.

He, however, said this needs concerted efforts from all stakeholders.

Should Mombasa be able to host some of the matches, it will be a way for coaches to expose some of their talented players.

He called on the Harambee Stars' management to start proper recruitment of players as early as now so as to have a well-groomed team come 2027.

He expressed confidence in the government delivering the standard pitches required to host such high-profile matches.

Meanwhile, Likoni MCA Athman Mwamwiri said the opportunity to host the Afcon is a boost to Kenya’s football.

However, he said it would be a great loss for Mombasa County to miss out on hosting some of the matches because of the lack of a standard football stadium.

“Even if we do not host a game, we need to be able to at least host a team in Mombasa and have them train here as their residential camp,” Mwamwiri said.

The MCA said this would provide an opportunity for young footballers in Mombasa to get inspiration from their favourite African players by just watching their training sessions.

He urged Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir to fight for the opportunity to host a team or several matches in the county.

“I would like Governor Abdulswamad to push for this, through cooperation with the national government,” Mwamwiri said.

He noted that the Mombasa Stadium should be given priority so as to have the renovation works completed in good time for the 2027 Afcon tournament.