Ambani urges AFC Leopards, Gor Mahia to invest in own stadiums ahead of AFCON 2027

AFC Leopards chairman Boniface Ambani has challenged his club and arch-rivals Gor Mahia to rethink their long-term infrastructure strategies by investing in their own stadiums,

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The premier league winner warns that continued reliance on government facilities could leave Kenya’s biggest clubs exposed as preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) gather pace.

Ambani’s remarks come amid the expected closure of Nyayo National Stadium and Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, both earmarked for major renovations as part of the government’s AFCON 2027 preparations.

The temporary shutdown of the two iconic venues threatens to leave AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia without permanent home grounds, exposing what Ambani described as a long-standing structural weakness in Kenyan club football.

In an open letter addressed to both clubs and their supporters, Ambani urged the two giants to move beyond their comfort zones and take bold steps towards self-sufficiency.

“It’s high time both clubs and their fans move from their comfort zones and make it count in Kenyan football,” Ambani wrote. “That imminent closure leaves the two top clubs without a roof. It’s time we come clear on what we want as the leading clubs in this country.”

AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia are not only Kenya’s most successful clubs but also among the most commercially powerful brands in East African football.

Their rivalry, famously known as the Mashemeji Derby, consistently attracts massive crowds and generates millions of shillings in matchday revenue.

In the most recent derby hosted by Gor Mahia, gate collections reportedly surpassed Ksh 7 million, showing the enormous financial potential of the two institutions.

Despite commanding fan bases that run into millions, neither club owns a stadium or a modern training facility, relying instead on government-built infrastructure.

Ambani questioned how clubs of such stature could continue operating without long-term assets, describing the situation as unsustainable and increasingly embarrassing when compared to smaller teams that have taken steps towards self-reliance.

“When you have your own house, nobody will tell you what time to wake up or sleep. It is shameful that clubs with millions of supporters still lack proper facilities, while smaller teams have managed to build their own grounds.”

The AFC Leopards chairman also called on supporters, corporate sponsors and private investors to play a more active role in shaping the future of Kenyan football.

He argued that the current moment presents a rare opportunity for fans to turn their loyalty into tangible development projects that could redefine the trajectory of their clubs.

“My urgent cry to the fans of both clubs and corporate firms across the nation is to stand and be counted,” Ambani appealed. “Be part of history in the making of the club you support.”

Ambani’s remarks come at a time when Kenyan football is grappling with broader questions around sustainability, governance and infrastructure development.

With AFCON 2027 approaching and key stadiums set for renovation, pressure is mounting on clubs to adopt innovative financial and infrastructural models that secure their futures beyond reliance on public facilities.