Starlets to host Cameroon at Nyayo Stadium in WAFCON second leg - FKF

The second leg of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifying match between Harambee Starlets and Indomitable Lionesses Cameroon will take place at Nyayo International Stadium in Nairobi on Tuesday, September 26, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has confirmed.

The initiative comes less than a week since the Ministry of Sports closed Kasarani, Nyayo, and Kip Keino Stadiums in a bid to upgrade them to international standards.

The stadiums were handed over to the military on Tuesday 19 September for hastened renovations even as the country prepares to bid to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

Kenya teamed up with neighbors Tanzania and Uganda in the plan dubbed the 'Pamoja' bid to bring the coveted continental showpiece to the East African region for the first time in history.

The closing down of stadiums brought about uncertainty on the country's probability to host the second leg match against the Indomitable Lions, but FKF through CEO Barry Otieno, made it clear that Nyayo Stadium will host the fixture.

"We can't change the venue for the second leg match due to ongoing renovations at the closed stadiums. Nyayo is the only approved stadium for tier two matches which Harambee Starlets fall under. I want to confirm that the government through the Ministry of Sport has assured us of the availability of the Nyayo Stadium ahead of the match. After the matches, then I think the renovations will go on as earlier planned," Otieno said.

He further stated that if Harambee Starlets go ahead to the next round of the Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifiers, they will use the Nyayo Stadium or play outside the county's borders.

"We really pray for Starlets to win this match. They have trained well and as the Federation we have given them the deserved support. Should they emerge the aggregate winners of the two-legged match, they will maintain the same Nyayo Stadium or play outside the country as per the government directives in alignment with FIFA and CAF regulations," he offered.

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The Federation's CEO further urged fans to come out in large numbers in support of the Starlets just like they did when Harambee Stars and South Sudan a week ago.

The Indomitable Lionesses' of Cameroon will be the Starlets' opponents in the first leg of the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualification on Friday 9pm EAT at the Stade de Reunification.

If they win against the Cameroonians, the Kenyans will face either Gabon or Botswana in the second round penciled foe between 27 November and 5 December 2023.