Kenya's shameful floodlight failure momentarily plunges World Cup qualifier into darkness
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Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 10.09.25. | 08:54
This is far from the first time Kenyan football has been marred by such mishaps
The Gambia and Burundi national football teams endured an embarrassing spectacle on the night of Tuesday, 9 September, when their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at Nyayo National Stadium was halted for nearly half an hour due to a floodlight malfunction.
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The Scorpions, who had thumped Kenya’s Harambee Stars 3-1 last Friday at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, chose Nairobi as their temporary home ground as they lacked a CAF-certified stadium of their own.
Ironically, Kenya was in a similar predicament not too long ago, before the government renovated both Nyayo and Kasarani stadia to meet international standards.
The 10 pm kickoff began smoothly, with the Gambians dictating play. But around 20 minutes into the clash, one of the floodlight towers failed, plunging part of the stadium into partial darkness.
The referee had no choice but to stop the game as technicians worked frantically to restore power. After about 30 minutes of anxious waiting, the lights came back on and play resumed.
This is far from the first time Kenyan football has been marred by such mishaps. Only last month, just before the CHAN tournament kicked off, a national team’s training session at Kasarani Annex was interrupted by a power outage.
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History also recalls the infamous incident at the 1987 All-Africa Games semi-final at Nyayo Stadium, when Harambee Stars faced Malawi. With Malawi leading 1-0 and pressing for more, the stadium was suddenly plunged into darkness.
The referee abandoned the match amid protests from Malawi, who suspected foul play to save the hosts. The game was replayed the following day, ending 1-1 after extra time before Kenya triumphed 3-2 on penalties, courtesy of David Ochieng’s heroics.
At Nyayo, once the lights returned, Gambia regained control and secured a 2-0 win over Burundi. The result lifted them above both Kenya and Burundi in the Group F standings.
The Scorpions now sit third with 10 points, level with Burundi but ahead on goal difference, and one point clear of Kenya, who drop to fifth.
In the group’s other fixture, Gabon and Ivory Coast played out a goalless draw. The Elephants remain on top with 20 points, just one ahead of Gabon as the race tightens ahead of October’s decisive qualifiers.
Ivory Coast, the reigning Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) champions, will travel to Seychelles before hosting Harambee Stars, while Gabon face a tricky trip to The Gambia before concluding at home against Burundi.
