Kenya’s representatives Gor Mahia will play all their Caf Champions League matches in Tanzania, the club’s secretary general, Sam Ocholla has revealed.
This comes after the continental football governing body, Caf, declined to include Kasarani and Nyayo stadia on its list of approved venues, forcing the club to seek intervention from the neighbouring country.
According to the list released by the Cairo-based organisation on Sunday, Tanzania is the only East African country with approved stadia.
Ocholla said they had already identified two cutting-edge facilities in Tanzania should circumstances force them to move their matches from Kenya.
“We intend to use the Azam Stadium for our preliminary matches and then proceed to Benjamin Mkapa Stadium if we happen to advance to the group stages,” Ocholla revealed.
The K’Ogalo honcho confirmed that the club had already contacted the Football Kenya Federation, seeking urgent redress. He, however, cast aspersions in the local governing body’s capacity to provide a quick fix.
“It’s very true that Kenyan facilities are not up to scratch. We have already drafted a letter to FKF and we expect them to give us the way forward,” Ocholla stated.
“If we fail to get a reply within the next seven days then the next step would be to engage the Tanzania Football Federation and book a pitch in the country which can be used for our Caf matches,” Ocholla said.
Kenya suffered a major setback in 2021 when both the Moi Stadium, Kasarani, and Nyayo Stadium were barred from hosting international games.
The Caf Inspection Committee said the two Kenyan facilities did not meet the required standard to stage Fifa and Caf-related matches including the World Cup/Caf qualifiers and club competitions.
The appraisal of the two facilities was part of the assessment for the approval of the Fifa World Cup 2022 qualifiers.
Ocholla expressed confidence that the team’s loyal fans will travel to Tanzania to watch their favourite team play.
“Our fans are well organised and I believe taking our matches to Tanzania will not deter them from rallying behind us. They know the important role they have always played in the team’s success,” Ocholla said.
Gor secured a berth in the continental space after storming the Kenyan Premier League title on the final day of a fiercely contested campaign.
The latest development means that Kenya’s representatives in the Caf Confederations Cup, Kakamega Homeboyz, will also be forced to host their opponents in venues outside the country.
Homeboyz sealed a spot in the second most prestigious club competition after edging Tusker FC 1-0 in the fiercely-contested FKF Cup finals at Moi Stadium, Kasarani on July 1.
