How Kenyan football stands to benefit from new bilateral agreement with Senegal

Kenyan football is set to be among the beneficiaries of a series of bilateral agreements signed between the country and Senegal on Tuesday, 21 October.

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Kenya’s President William Ruto, in a joint partnership with his Senegal counterpart Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, announced moves to strengthen the country's sports capacity, borrowing much of the West African nation’s excellence in football.

Among the key areas that Kenya stands to gain from the collaboration is in the forthcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where three East African countries - Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania - will unite to co-host the football showpiece.

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“As Kenya prepares to co-host the AFCON 2027, we welcome Senegal’s support and experience in hosting and excelling in continental football tournaments,” Ruto said on the partnership, which also touched on diplomatic and economic affairs.

“We look forward to learning from Senegal’s expertise in infrastructure development, event management, and building lasting sports legacies.”

Earlier this year, Kenya got a taste of hosting a major international football tournament as the country was engaged in a mad rush to complete stadium renovations, just in time for the delayed August deadline.

As per its winning AFCON bid in 2023, Kenya is set to provide three stadiums for the 2027 edition, among them being: Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani, Nyayo Stadium and Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret.

However, the new Talanta Stadium, which is nearing its completion, could replace one of the three venues.

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Also during CHAN, Kenya faced hiccups in its ticketing system and was fined by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for a number of safety breaches.

All this, with the successful implementation of the Joint Cooperation Commission (JCC), could come into strict focus, as with moves to build capacity.

“We commit to exploring joint initiatives such as exchange programs for coaches and athletes, co-hosting regional tournaments, and establishing joint training camps,” Ruto added.

“By combining Kenya’s strength in athletics and Senegal’s prowess in football, we aim to uplift our young people and enhance cultural diplomacy.”

Senegal’s football has, in recent years, hit peak levels, thanks to its investment in youth football - mostly seen with the development of academies like Generation Foot and Diambars Institute.

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With local talents finding a smooth pathway from the local scene to Europe, Senegal has witnessed success across different age groups, becoming AFCON champions in 2021, AFCON U17 (2023), AFCON U20 (2023), and winning the 2022 CHAN.

Earlier this month, the Teranga Lions sealed a place in next year’s FIFA World Cup, making it the third time in a row they will be gracing the global football showpiece.

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