Football Kenya Federation (FKF) have officially confirmed Gor Mahia and Kakamega Homeboyz will play their Confederation of African Football (Caf) matches in Tanzania.
According to FKF President Nick Mwendwa, Kenya is currently lacking a stadium that meets the standards to host Caf or Fifa assignments and with the inter-club competitions kicking off on August 18, the two Kenyan clubs will have to seek help from their neighbours, who are the only East African nation with approved stadia.
“It is already out in the public domain that we don’t have venues that can host Caf matches at least for now, and so as FKF we will help both Gor and Homeboyz to take their matches to Tanzania,” said Mwendwa, adding: “We will talk to our Tanzania FA officials in regards to the matter (because this is our job) and give details of both teams in readiness for their first matches.”
Read Also: Kakamega Homeboyz will sweep all trophies on offer next season – Shimanyula
In the list released by Caf on Sunday, Azam Complex in Chamazi and Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, are listed as the stadia currently fit to host international matches. When reached for comment, Gor Mahia secretary general Sam Ocholla confirmed they have already rolled out plans for K’Ogalo to play their matches in Tanzania.
“We have already been informed about the absence of approved stadia in Kenya and our plan is to use Azam Complex in Tanzania for our Champions League matches, we have already written to FKF to give us the way forward over the matter as we only have few days before we kick off the campaign,” said Ocholla.
Homeboyz chairman Cleophas Shimanyula admitted being in shock over the matter insisting being their first time in the competition, they could have loved to play in Kenya in front of their fans.
“I thought things could have improved (by the time we play) and we get at least one approved stadia in the country to host Caf matches but if that is the case then we have no option,” said Shimanyula, adding: “I feel the pain for our fans, who wanted to see us in continental action for the first time but they will have to understand it is not our (club) mistake. I also wish and hope that FKF will help us to navigate through in terms of logistics.”
By virtue of winning the FKF Premier League trophy, Gor Mahia will take part in the Champions League, whose preliminary matches have been scheduled to take place between August 18 to 20. Meanwhile, Homeboyz, who will be taking part in Caf competitions for the first time after defeating Tusker 1-0 to lift the FKF Cup, will be the flag bearers in the Confederation Cup, whose first-round matches have been penciled for August 24 and 27.